Menu
Photo 1. All Panelists for ACE International Women’s Day 2024 Webinar
On International Women’s Day 2024, the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) showcased its unwavering commitment to reducing the gender gap within the ASEAN energy sector, through the Centre’s ongoing projects, including the ASEAN Climate Change and Energy Project (ACCEPT), the EmPower Project in collaboration with UNEP and UN Women, and an upcoming partnership with Oxfam International. These endeavours reflect ACE’s dedication to creating an energy landscape that is inclusive and acknowledges the invaluable contributions of women.
The historical backdrop of the energy sector shows limited involvement from women, particularly in the ASEAN context. Despite women constituting 67% of the labour force in 2020, their representation in pivotal energy segments like natural gas, petroleum, and crude oil production was alarmingly low at just 8%. This glaring disparity not only mirrors broader societal challenges but also highlights a significant underutilisation of potential crucial for driving the energy transition.
The webinar, “Inspiring Women’s Leadership in Energy for an Inclusive ASEAN,” held on 27 March 2024, represented ACE’s proactive stance in addressing these challenges. It convened women leaders, gender experts, and stakeholders from across ASEAN to discuss overcoming challenges and leveraging opportunities to achieve gender equality within the energy sector. Rinda Rufaidah, Communications Specialist of ACE, led the event proceedings as the master of ceremonies.
Photo 2. Opening remarks by Dr. Nuki Agya Utama, Executive Director of ACE
Dr. Nuki Agya Utama, Executive Director of ACE, opened the event with remarks that shed light on the significant challenges faced by women in the energy sector and expressed appreciation for the achievements and contributions of female researchers at ACE. He emphasised the webinar’s role as a foundational step towards future sustainability and gender inclusivity.
Photo 3 & 4. Launch of booklet and introduction to survey
A key feature of the event was the launch of the “Gender Equality in ASEAN Energy” booklet, alongside the introduction of an online survey designed to gather data on gender issues within the energy sector. These initiatives are part of ACE’s ongoing efforts to enhance women’s inclusion and participation, aiming to support the dialogue on gender diversity and inclusion in the energy sector.
Photo 5. Panel Discussion 1: Challenges and Opportunities for Women Inclusivity in the ASEAN Energy Sector
The first panel discussion, moderated by Aldilla Noor Rakhiemah, Senior Research Analyst of ACE & Senior Research Analyst of ACCEPT II, was titled “Challenges and Opportunities for Women Inclusivity in the ASEAN Energy Sector.” The panel featured Dr. Ida Syahrina, Deputy Undersecretary at Malaysia’s Ministry of Energy, Dr. Santisouk Phimphacanh, Alternate SOE Leader at Lao PDR’s Department of Energy Policy & Planning, Rosa Permata Sari, Director of Strategy and Business Development at PT Perusahaan Gas Negara, Indonesia, and Maria Lauranti, Country Director of Oxfam Indonesia. They explored strategies for bridging the gender pay gap and fostering inclusivity within the sector.
Photo 6. Panel Discussion 2: Paving Gender Mainstreaming towards an Inclusive ASEAN Energy Blueprint
The second panel, “Paving Gender Mainstreaming towards an Inclusive ASEAN Energy Blueprint,” was moderated by Amira Bilqis, Analyst of ACE. This session included Director Amelia M. De Guzman, Chair of the DOE-GAD Technical Working Group of the Philippines, Miguel Musngi, Assistant Director of the Poverty & Gender Division at the ASEAN Secretariat, Dr. Amy Reggers, Regional Programme Specialist of UN Women’s Climate Change and Gender, and Ana Rojas, Gender and Energy Specialist at the UNDP Sustainable Energy Hub. The discussion centred on the role of management’s impact in effecting change, and the necessity for clear policies and financial support to advance gender equality in the energy sector.
Photo 7. Closing Remarks by Beni Suryadi, Manager of ACE
The webinar concluded with closing remarks from Beni Suryadi, Manager of ACE, who underscored the crucial role of women in energy leadership and their potential to address systemic challenges.
ACE’s initiatives, driven by a commitment to champion gender inclusivity and sought to collate insights to inform a comprehensive report that would contribute to the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC), continue to lead the charge towards a more sustainable and inclusive energy sector, promising further impactful discussions and initiatives to support gender inclusion in the future.
Relevant Links:
ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) is an intergovernmental organisation within ASEAN structure that represents the 10 ASEAN Member States’ (AMS) interests in the energy sector.