About Us
APGR aims to close the gender gaps in the sustainable energy sector.
Who We Are
The African Power Girls Rising campaign aims to close gender gaps in the sustainable energy sector across fourteen member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The campaign targets girls and young women aged 14 – 24 years and aims to inspire them to explore careers in sustainable energy by sharing exciting web and social media content that showcase opportunities within the energy sector.
The campaign actively addresses gender stereotypes and misconceptions about the sector that have resulted in limited interest from young girls, and barriers to entry for early career women.
Why is it Important to Empower Girls and Women in Energy?
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that the renewable energy workforce will grow from 16.6 million jobs in 2024 to 30 million by 2030 and nearly 40 million by 2050.
But who benefits from these opportunities? Data from IRENA shows that women remain underrepresented in the sector, across different regions, roles, and levels of seniority.
Share of women in the renewable energy workforce (higher than in the oil and gas and nuclear energy sectors).
Share of women in Africa’s renewable energy workforce (similar to Asia-Pacific, and higher than Europe, North America, Latin America and the Caribbean)
Share of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) roles in renewable energy.
Share of women in senior management roles in renewable energy.
To avoid the worst impacts of climate change, we need a rapid transition to cleaner and more sustainable sources of energy. The energy transition, in turn, needs diverse voices, talents and ideas to succeed. Many studies have shown that on average, gender-diverse companies are more profitable, more resilient to shocks, and more sustainable.
Therefore, the lack of gender equality in the sustainable energy sector is a problem not just for ambitious girls with an interest in renewables, but also for energy companies and society as a whole.
African Power Girls Rising is part of a larger programme to advance the careers of women in sustainable energy across the SADC region.
Explore What The Website Has To Offer
Who Is Behind The Campaign
African Power Girls Rising is a joint initiative of:
The Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition (GWNET) connects and empowers women working in sustainable energy around the world.
The SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE), which promotes renewable energy and energy efficiency across the SADC region.
The campaign is funded by:
The Austrian Development Agency (ADA). Combating poverty, promoting peace and protecting the environment: These are the three major concerns of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the operational unit of International Partnerships Austria. Please visit ADA’s website to learn more.
Targeted Countries
This campaign works across fourteen member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
