Orange Sierra Leone, a leading telecommunications network in the country, showcased its commitment to supporting women in the renewable energy sector by sponsoring a pivotal one-day conference organized by Women in Renewable Energy Sierra Leone (WIRE).
The event, held on March 22nd, 2024, at Sierra Palms in Aberdeen, Freetown, aimed to spotlight the indispensable role of renewable energy in addressing global challenges like climate change and fostering sustainable economic development. Moreover, it served as a platform to advocate for gender equality, empower women, and cultivate a more inclusive and diverse renewable energy landscape in Sierra Leone.
During her keynote address, N’deye Fatu Koroma, the National Coordinator of SLCDU, emphasized the significance of women’s involvement in Sierra Leone’s energy sector for achieving economic transformation through a just energy transition. She underscored the necessity for equal access and opportunities for women in renewable energy development, advocating for a gender-responsive approach to tackle inequalities and harness women’s potential as catalysts of change. Koroma also highlighted the imperative need for substantial structural adjustments to augment female representation in leadership positions within the renewable energy domain.
Addressing the prevalent dearth of female representation in STEM-related professions, particularly in technical and engineering roles within Sierra Leone’s energy sector, Koroma attributed such imbalances to cultural norms, educational biases, and institutional hurdles obstructing women’s access to STEM programs and related occupations. She stressed the urgency of addressing these challenges in a context-specific manner while acknowledging the global trend of women’s underrepresentation in STEM fields.
Koroma further elucidated the multifaceted roles women play in the energy sector, balancing professional commitments with familial responsibilities. She elucidated how societal expectations and workplace biases can impede women’s experiences in technical fields, fostering stereotypes and prejudices that impede their progress. Calling for workplace policies conducive to supporting and prioritizing women’s continued employment, Koroma advocated for addressing systemic barriers hindering their full participation in the renewable energy sector.
Muctarr Turay, President of the Renewable Energy Association of Sierra Leone (REASL), echoed the importance of ensuring women’s empowerment for overall happiness and success in life. He emphasized REASL’s commitment to empowering women in technical and management roles, with a strategic focus on augmenting their involvement over the forthcoming two years. Turay stressed the pivotal role women play in the energy transition and highlighted the conference’s significance in celebrating their achievements while fostering opportunities for career advancement through collaboration, mentorship, and support.
Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Mina Yema Sobba-Stephens, underscored the imperative of empowering women across sectors, including energy, to advance gender equality. She advocated for women’s access to education, diversity building, and economic opportunities, including entrepreneurship and leadership roles. Sobba-Stephens emphasized the pivotal role of clean energy in empowering women and attaining sustainable development, citing the benefits of providing women with access to clean cooking technologies.
Furthermore, Sobba-Stephens stressed the indispensability of financial incentives, support mechanisms, and policy reforms to ensure gender equality in the renewable energy sector. She concluded by emphasizing the necessity of harnessing women’s full potential and transitioning to cleaner energy for a sustainable future, advocating for inclusive policies, equitable regulations, financial support, educational programs, and awareness campaigns.
Representing the EU Delegation to Sierra Leone, Elisa Tesselli acknowledged women’s active participation in the energy transition and emphasized the need for their active contribution to sustainable development through leadership training and engagement in clean cooking solutions. Adaku Ufere, Chief of Party for USAID and Power Africa, highlighted women’s pivotal role in driving innovation and sustainable solutions within West Africa’s clean energy sector. Ufere underscored initiatives aimed at promoting gender equity and empowering women in leadership roles, expressing gratitude for organizations fostering inclusive spaces and opportunities for women in the industry, such as the Renewable Energy Association of Sierra Leone and Power Africa.
