By Juma Nsubuga
The minister of energy and Mineral Development Dr Ruth Nankabirwa has commended Africa Women in energy International for bringing together women in the energy sector on the continent to share insights and create partnership.
Nankabirwa said this at the Africa Women in Energy International Summit 2023 in Texas USA.
The conference was organized under the theme: ‘Promoting diversity and partnership for growth’
Nankabirwa who was one of the keynote speakers said that the low participation of women has been attributed to a number of factors including the historical bias that energy sector is meant for men.
“Few women have studied science,Technology,Engineering and Mathematics subjects which qualifications are key to participation in the sector and the fact is that energy sector is capital intensive which has been identified as an exclusion factor when it comes to women due to the hindrances they face is accessing funding” the minister noted.
Nankabirwa who has transformed the energy ministry in Uganda informed the conference that Uganda Cabinet under the leadership of president Museveni approved the energy policy which among other important policy objectives lays out the governments approach in ensuring the optimal inclusion of women in energy sector.
“The policy identifies the promotion of gender mainstreaming and youth inclusiveness in all energy planning, programming and projects as a critical objective for achieving the policy goal of achieving universal access to sustainable, affordable and quality energy services for all Ugandans by 2030” she said.
Nankabirwa further stressed that the role of women in leadership in the energy sector has been growing steadily.
“For instance in Uganda, the current setup,we have the political leadership of the energy sector entrusted to a woman, permanent secretary, the chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Regulatory Authority, the Board chairperson of the national Oil Company, among others are all women” she noted.
She however encouraged women who have been privileged to participate in Africa women in energy international conference to take the responsibilities of ensuring the policies and interventions that have been put in place are implemented to promote the inclusion of more women in energy sector.
The minister was given an award in recognition of her work in promoting the energy sector.
