Albania: Reducing gender imbalances in the energy sector

Gender Diagnosis of the energy sector in Albania

As part of the TA, a “Gender Diagnosis of the energy sector in Albania” was established. This very first gender diagnosis led in the country explores the current gender situation in the Albanian energy sector and examines the possible evolution in the context of the implementation of the energy reforms, the National Strategy for Gender Equality 2021-2030, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the energy transition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

The report highlights that the average share of women working in the energy sector in Albania is around 26%. It illustrates the need to attract a gender-balanced workforce as well as more girls and young women into vocational education and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) studies. Indeed, a sustainable energy transition requires an important  pool of skilled and talented female and male professionals.

To reduce the gender imbalances in the energy sector, the report recommends implementing the comprehensive Albanian legal framework on gender equality, challenging gender stereotypes and raising awareness on gender equality, and ensuring work-life balance policies. The adoption of a gender equality action plan, training offers, the development of networking and mentoring opportunities are also proposed to engage, retain and promote women in the energy sector. In addition, the report emphasises on the collection and availability of gender-disaggregated data in the energy sector to assess the gender pay gap, develop energy poverty policies and measures that incorporate the gender dimension, and address the gender gap in sustainable energy awareness/literacy.

The gender diagnosis of the energy sector was presented at the workshop “Gender and Energy in Albania” in Tirana.

Workshop Gender and Energy in Albania, Tirana, 24 January 2023

This event organised by Expertise France, with the support of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, brought together some hundred participants from the public and the private sectors, civil society organisations, the academia, embassies, international organisations, development banks, etc.

The workshop’s objectives were to:

- Discuss the gender dimension in energy strategies and policies in Albania,

- Address the importance of gender equality and women’s participation in the energy sector to accelerate a just energy transition and combat climate change,

- Learn and share experiences in relation to gender equality and women’s empowerment in energy organisations.

The topics discussed during this half day event included the energy reforms in Albania, the energy crisis, the gender equality legislative framework, women’s participation in the energy sector and the electricity industry in particular, women’s mentoring and networking, gender mainstreaming and awareness, and the gender dimension of energy poverty.

On behalf of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection (MoHSP), Etleva Sheshi, Director - Social Inclusion and Gender Equality Policies, welcomed the first report on Gender and Energy in Albania. Sheshi declared that the MoHSP “will work to ensure women and girls participate in the energy sector, not only in the dedicated ministry but also in energy companies”.

Milieukontakt Albania’s Executive Director, Valbona Mazreku, insisted on empowering women to take actions to fight energy poverty. “ Energy poverty is a structural problem and not only a consequence of [raising] energy prices”, stated Mazreku.

Expertise France announced at the workshop that AFD and the Albanian Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy have validated the second phase of the TA “energy sector reforms”  to start in April 2023 for a two-year period. Although the exact focus of this forthcoming new TA phase is not determined yet, it is likely that new actions with regard to the gender agenda will be contemplated.

The workshop’s presentations can be found here.

For the highlights of the workshop,  click here.