SAWIE Summit 2024: Leaders call for empowering women in energy sector

Globally women represent almost 40% of the workforce, yet they hold just 16% in the energy sector. To bring focus on women empowerment in the energy sector, the USISPF (US-India Strategic Partnership Forum) in collaboration with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), organised the South Asia Women in Energy (SAWIE) Summit 2024 in New Delhi.

The SAWIE Summit 2024 is focused on empowering women leaders, promoting innovation in renewable energy, and strengthening international collaboration for sustainable development. The event included discussions on creating an inclusive workforce, mentoring women leaders and supporting women–led energy initiatives.

The summit began with opening remarks from Ambassador Eric Garcetti, U.S. Ambassador to India; Nivedita Mehra, managing director - India at USISPF, Steven Olive, mission director, USAID/India; and Vaishali Nigam Sinha, co-founder and chairperson sustainability, ReNew; and chairperson of SAWIE.

While speaking at the USISPF, Mehra highlighted the importance of promoting diverse leadership during her opening remarks. She pointed out that in South Asia, female participation in the key sector is very low, ranging from just 3% to 15%. These figures not only reveal a huge gap but also stress the urgent need for collective action.

“As we steer the global energy transitions towards sustainability, diverse perspectives, particularly those of women, are essential in crafting inclusive policies and strategies. Women’s involvement at all levels of decision making will be pivotal in achieving our shared sustainability goals,” Mehra adds.

Garcetti highlighted the importance of US-India collaboration in energy and sustainability, stressing that the future of our planet hinges on collective efforts, regardless of whether one lives in Los Angeles or Lucknow, in Boston or Bengaluru the sustainability of our planet depends on the work that is being done.

Sinha noted shed light on the key role of women leaders in driving energy transitions. She highlighted that while SAWIE promotes individual growth, it also works toward broader systemic change. By focusing on gender balance in energy policies, utility reforms, and energy transformation, the initiative aims to make the sector more inclusive and efficient.

Olive shared about USAID’S dedication to empowering women in the energy sector. He noted that the 3rd edition of SAWIE Summit 2024 highlights both the progress that has been made and remaining work that is left to be done. He also voiced that investment in women should not just be in terms of beneficiaries, but as architects of the future.