Prishtina, 18.05.2022 – Under the organization of the Association of Women in Energy Sector in Kosovo (AWESK), supported by GIZ in Prishtina, was held the event “Gender Diversity in the Energy Sector”, which was attended by the Deputy Minister of Economy, Mentor Arifaj, the Agency for Gender Equality (OPM), USAID – TetraTech, as well as women from different sectors.

Deputy Minister Arifaj said that the energy sector is the main pillar of economic development in our country, but this sector is going through a transition, and there can be no final and successful transition of the energy sector in our country without considering the will, opinions, and creativity of half of our population.

Arifaj further added that on the basis of data we possess in Kosovo, women and girls in the energy sector are under-represented, namely the representation is below 10%, but gender inclusion should be present in every educational institution, in particular in the energy sector, thus eliminating barriers for women and girls to deal with energy.

Deputy Minister Arifaj emphasized that a successful energy transition will require experts and professional staff, including women and girls from the energy sector, which would also impact on the increase in the number of employees in this sector.

“The Government of the Republic of Kosovo is taking the necessary steps to stimulate the number of girls in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), which will have an impact on the increase of gender representation in Publicly Owned Enterprises and we have also provided recommendations that gender diversity should be taken into account during employment”, stated Arifaj.

Taking into consideration the facts and the role of women in the energy sector, AWESK has published a document analyzing the challenges, barriers, opportunities, and advantages of achieving equal opportunities for girls and women in Kosovo.

At this event will also be held two discussion panels with the participation of key actors of gender equality and specialists of the energy sector.