International Women’s Day: A Leap Towards Gender Parity
Is there sufficient representation of women in Nigeria’s energy and industrial sectors?
During and after Women’s Month (International Women’s Day), it’s crucial that we candidly address the question of gender representation in the energy and industrial sectors, particularly in Africa and Nigeria.
The World Economic Forum’s 2022 report reveals that the energy sector is among the least inclusive for women in leadership roles, with women holding less than 20% of these positions. Furthermore, women’s wages in the energy sector are 19% lower than men’s.
These figures, while disheartening, represent an improvement from previous years, with the International Energy Agency (IEA) reporting 14 consecutive years of annual increases in gender parity.
The energy sector, traditionally dominated by men, has made significant improvements towards gender equality. However, there is still much work to be done as there still remains a huge gap in women inclusion. Therefore, the oil and gas industry, along with the broader energy sector, must persist in their efforts to ensure equal rights and opportunities for all, at all times (even after International Women’s Day celebration).
Additional data from the IEA highlights the wage gap within the same company and across different firms in the energy sector. The wage gap is not due to gender differences in skill levels as it remains the same when accounting for ability, education, and potential experience. This underscores the need for continued efforts towards achieving gender parity in the energy sector.
As Jim Rohn wisely stated, “Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.” In relation to our subject matter, this implies that for gender inclusion to be realized, there must be a fundamental shift in the industry’s mindset towards biases against women.
In the heart of the Nigerian energy and industrial value chain, a fundamental transformation is taking place in TREXM Holdings towards gender inclusion. Since December 2022, the company has increased its hiring of women employees by an impressive 122.2%. This is not just a statistic; it’s a testament to TREXM’s commitment to walk the talk when it comes to women inclusion.
TREXM is not just about business; it’s about people, especially young professionals and how they can become leaders and changemakers in their areas of specialization. The company’s vision is to create an environment where young talents can thrive, even in a traditional industry like energy, oil, and gas.
The story of TREXM is one of transformation and innovation. It’s a story of a company that is not afraid to challenge the status quo and break new ground. But most importantly, it’s a story of a company that values its people and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace.
This commitment to inclusion and diversity is not just good for the employees; it’s good for the business. A diverse workforce brings in a variety of perspectives, leading to more innovative solutions and better decision-making. And in an industry that is constantly evolving, this can be the key to staying ahead of the competition.
So, the next time you come across TREXM Holdings, remember this: that more than being just a company, TREXM is a beacon of inclusion and innovation in the energy, oil, and gas and industrial sectors.
TREXM’s initiative is not just about numbers; it’s about creating an environment where women can thrive and contribute significantly to the energy and industrial sector. This move is a beacon of hope for other companies in the energy and services industry, encouraging them to adopt a mindset of gender parity and equal opportunities.
In conclusion, as we celebrate women even after International Women’s Day, let’s also celebrate the organizations, communities, and individuals making a difference in inspiring inclusion. Let us also use this as a call to action for all stakeholders in the energy and industrial sectors to do more on this subject matter. Together, we can ensure that the energy sector is not just a powerhouse for the economy, but also a beacon of gender parity and equal rights.
Sources:
(1) The energy industry has a significant gender gap | World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/11/gender-gap-energy-sector/.
(2) GENDER EQUALITY IN THE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY TRANSITION – UN Women. https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2023-05/Gender-equality-in-the-sustainable-energy-transition-en.pdf.
(3) Gender balance: the path to parity in the energy sector. https://www.power-technology.com/features/gender-balance-path-parity-energy-sector/.
(4) Gender diversity in energy sector is critical to clean energy …. https://www.iea.org/commentaries/gender-diversity-in-energy-sector-is-critical-to-clean-energy-transition.
(5) Gender equality in the sustainable energy transition. https://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2023/05/gender-equality-in-the-sustainable-energy-transition.