The Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation announces the launch of a nationwide survey among women titled “Barriers and challenges faced by women during professional transition to the solar energy sector.” This initiative aims to analyze the challenges women encounter when entering the solar energy field to effectively develop training programs designed to support women in this rapidly growing and promising sector.
Renewable energy sources (RES), particularly solar energy, have gained significant importance in Ukraine in recent years, constituting 10% of the overall electricity generation mix. This is due to several factors. First, over 50% of energy capacities have been damaged or destroyed, and ongoing Russian attacks on the energy infrastructure mean every Ukrainian is striving to enhance their energy independence. Solar energy is becoming one of the most effective tools for ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply during the current energy crisis. Second, Ukraine, along with the rest of the world, is moving towards environmentally friendly and innovative development within the framework of the National Energy and Climate Plan, which aims for RES to account for at least 25% of the energy balance by 2030.
Third, due to the human capital crisis caused by the full-scale war in Ukraine and migration, about 75% of employers are experiencing a labor shortage. At the same time, Ukrainians have predominantly adapted to living in a state of war, declaring openness to learning, retraining, and realizing their potential in new fields.
Despite the growing popularity of the sector, women still face barriers and obstacles regarding development opportunities in this niche. According to global statistics, women make up only about 30% of those employed in the solar energy sector, indicating significant challenges for their integration into this field.
Considering this, along with the fact that more and more Ukrainian women are eager to develop in new areas, the Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation is launching a study aimed at identifying the factors that prevent or complicate women's professional transition to the solar energy sector. The results of this study will help create educational programs, providing women with more opportunities for professional development.
“It is important for us not only to talk about the necessity of renewable energy but also to create real opportunities for those who are ready to join this field. We believe that women can become a driving force for change in this sector if we remove the barriers in their way. This survey is the first step towards a deeper understanding of what hinders them from realizing their potential in solar energy,” said the founder and director of the foundation, Yuliana Onishchuk.
Participation in the survey takes 10 minutes. The study is aimed at women who:
Feel the need to change their field of activity, employment, or workplace and are considering new promising areas for development;
Are considering employment opportunities in solar energy but face obstacles in doing so.
We invite you to participate in the survey at the following link: https://forms.office.com/e/j1R9qENaQL
Participation in the survey will be open until November 29, 2024, inclusive.
The research is conducted by the charity foundation throughout Ukraine, excluding areas where hostilities are (or have been) taking place and temporarily occupied territories by russia.
