Page 19 - Energize March 2021

NEWS

Women in leadership: Achieving an equal

future in the renewable energy sector

decade into South Africa’s renewable association, SAPVIA, as both organisations
energy sector’s existence, it has recognise the need to address gender diversity
be
A come apparent it is still lagging issues from a broader renewable energy
in sufficient gender diversity. Hence the industry perspective. Additionally, the
industry is actively giving attention to collaboration includes WE Connect, an NPO
adjust and improve the levels of gender focussing on women empowerment within the
representation, at all levels, with the launch renewable energy sector, with the intention
of its Gender Diversity Working Group. of maximising capacity and increasing the
programme’s impact by incorporating gender
Ntombifuthi Ntuli coaching and mentorship. Niveshen Govender
“Gender diversity means a fair gender SAPVIA COO, Niveshen Govender
representation across all spheres of our added, “Diversity in the workplace is have been able to achieve the association’s
industry. A 2020 report by IRENA and vital for the future success of every goals, whilst contributing to a positive
the Women in Wind Global Leadership organisation. Countless studies have shown culture,” added Ntuli.
Programme shows that women represent the positive effects gender diversity can The Gender Diversity Working Group
only 21% of the global wind energy workforce have in every industry and we must work Programme is expected to include a
and only 8% of its senior management. together to ensure that South Africa’s Leadership Acceleration Programme (LAP),
Recognising that the challenge of renewables sector is truly reflective of the which will identify women with leadership
underrepresentation of women in the wind society in which we operate.” potential and place them on an accelerator
energy sector is as much a South African programme to help bridge the female
challenge as it is a global challenge, we Niveshen Govender leadership gap in the renewable energy
launched a Commitment Statement in 2018, “As a sector our ambition is to deliver a sector. This is in addition to the Coaching and
which commits members of the Association just transition and this must include the Mentorship Programme, led by WE connect,
to address, amongst other things, issues upliftment and inclusion of all genders. which will pair mentors and mentees and
of gender equality in the sector,” said This is not just because it is the right assist them to meet certain objectives.
Ntombifuthi Ntuli, CEO of the South African thing to do – it also makes commercial “Diversity in thought will contribute
Wind Energy Association (SAWEA). sense. From widening the talent pool positively to the thriving and growing
This sector Working Group will to enhancing collaboration, improving renewable energy industry. Through
mainstream gender issues within the retention, recruitment and reputation, mentorship, the industry can empower
renewable energy industry by creating a the payback of an inclusive workplace has women, to bridge the gap between male
platform and framework that will actively never been clearer.” and female perspectives on equality and to
address gender diversity matters within the “There could not be a more fitting promote the concept of giving back,” says
energy sector and to hold dialogues around time than International Women’s Day Karen de Bruyn, Founder of WE Connect.
areas of inadequate representation. to bring together this Working Group. Looking beyond the professional
This new renewable energy industry The onus is of course on each of us space, the programme will also include
Working Group is a collaboration between as individuals to challenge the status a ‘Business Opportunities for Women’
SAWEA and the solar PV counterpart quo, however with this group we can initiative, to provide access for women in
collectively take proactive steps to driving entrepreneurship activities in the sector
the change that is so needed in our sector and to support women who are establishing
to create a more balanced workforce themselves as entrepreneurs. Besides
across the renewables industry.” the programmes mentioned above, the
Looking inwards, the wind sector’s Working Group also aims to achieve the
governing association is in fact operated following: Gender Diversity Performance
under female leadership and has done so for Reporting, which will include a scoring
several years. SAWEA has been led by both matrix; Dialogues and Events, as discussion
a female CEO and chairperson for the past platforms to address common challenges
two years and is supported by a women- and shared solutions on gender issues; and
dominated team. the launch of a Renewable Energy Industry
“Our team is demonstrative of how Gender Diversity Charter – in line with the
women display emotional intelligence and Industry Commitment Statement.
innovative thinking that brings a different “Simply put, the ultimate target is to
perspective, as women are naturally see women in the sector having access to
visionary forces. Our shared vision has and being considered for all opportunities,”
Ntombifuthi Ntuli created cohesion and has meant that we concluded Ntuli. n

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