Kathmandu: USAID Urja Nepal, an energy development activity, launched a program for the development of leadership and management skills for women in the energy sector.
The program is aimed at advancing the next generation of women leaders in the energy sector, USAID Urja Nepal said in a press release.
The program will complement Nepal’s efforts to increase the participation of women in traditionally male-dominated professions, particularly in the electricity sector where they remain poorly represented in leadership positions, reads the release.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the government’s electricity sector counterparts co-designed the program to provide insights into the challenges women are facing every day.
The understanding will identify the needed training and capacity building to close current technical gaps and improve leadership skills.
During the nine-month program, the sessions will provide technical training in subjects relevant to Nepal’s energy sector, as well as leadership courses that focus on highlighting leadership skills and career advancement.
Interacting with the participants, Minister Pampha Bhusal of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation said the program is in line with the government’s strong emphasis to increase the involvement of women and minorities in decision-making roles in every sector.
“I understand that women and minorities are underrepresented in Nepal’s energy sector and believe that the program launched by USAID Urja Nepal will be a stepping stone to make the sector inclusive,” said Bhusal.
USAID/Nepal Mission Director Sepideh Keyvanshad summed up the launch when she stated, “We are celebrating another milestone in how we are partnering with the Government of Nepal to move the energy sector forward here in Nepal by specifically targeting the future women energy sector leaders and helping them take their place in the dynamic sector.”
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