Document Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
January 2021
Journal
Gender Matters Globally: Geography, Health and Sustainability
Abstract
Despite clear evidence of the importance to global sustainable development of both SDG 5 (achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls) and SDG 7 (ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all), and the many synergies between the two goals, empirical data on the status of gender equality in the renewable energy (RE) sector remains sparse. In this chapter, we share findings from an online survey administered by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in 2018 to understand global trends, opportunities, and constraints for women’s employment in RE. The survey elicited a total of 1,440 responses from 140 countries. They provided estimates about the total share of women in the global RE workforce, and, more specifically, in managerial and leadership positions. Survey findings also shed light upon barriers and opportunities for women’s entry, retention, and advancement in the RE sector in various world regional contexts.