The “Gender Equality in ASEAN Energy” booklet outlines the ASEAN region’s commitment to gender equality within the energy sector, recognizing the critical role of gender equality and women’s empowerment in achieving a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable community.
The booklet highlights several key areas related to gender equality in the energy sector:
Historical Commitment and Progress: ASEAN’s commitment to gender equality traces back to the 1988 Declaration on Women’s Advancement, with subsequent efforts including the establishment of the ASEAN Committee on Women in 2002, the Women’s Advancement and Gender Equality Program (2005-2010), and the Declaration of Gender Equality and Family Development in 2023.
Opportunities in the Energy Sector: The booklet argues that increasing women’s employment in the energy sector, particularly renewable energy, could enhance industry robustness, bring fresh perspectives, and empower women and communities, ultimately improving societal welfare.
Challenges: It outlines six major challenges to gender equality in the energy sector, including data insufficiency, complexity of the issue, male-dominated norms, low job vacancies, uninteresting nature of work, and financial constraints.
Gender-responsive Renewable Energy Policies: Proposes that adopting such policies can close gender gaps, boost business performance, innovation, labor market diversity, and community engagement in renewable energy projects.
Future Directions: Calls for continuous development and implementation of gender-inclusive policies in renewable energy, supported by dedicated working groups and partnerships among ASEAN member states, academic institutions, and other stakeholders.
