19 June 2018

The International Hydropower Association has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition.

The partnership represents IHA's commitment to promoting the role and contribution of women in the energy sector, particularly in the transition to a low carbon future. It also includes the promotion of mentoring, networking and coaching opportunities to encourage the increased participation of women in decision-making positions.    

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Richard Taylor, IHA’s Chief Executive, and Christine Lins, founding member of the Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition (GWNET) on 6 June.

Mr Taylor said: “Our mission to advance sustainable hydropower includes building a vibrant, inclusive and proactive community. We’re proud to be a strategic partner of GWNET, a network which shares these values, as we look towards decarbonisation and a clean energy future.”  

GWNET was founded in 2017 to address the energy sector’s current gender imbalance and promote gender-sensitive action around the energy transition worldwide.

According to its founders, GWNET empowers women in energy through interdisciplinary networking, advocacy, training, coaching and mentoring, and services related to projects and financing.

“GWNET is thrilled to work with the International Hydropower Association to raise the voice of women in hydro, thereby bringing fresh perspectives to the development of societies, attracting and retaining a richer pool of talent in the sector and advancing the energy transition more quickly,” commented Ms Lins.

The new partnership advances on IHA’s recent support of the Women in Hydropower Mentorship Program, which provides a platform for women to connect, make friendships and share experiences in a supportive environment.

Christine Cantin, IHA Board member and Senior Advisor at Hydro-Québec voiced her support for IHA's new partnership with GWNET. Ms Cantin has been an advocate of the Women in Hydropower Mentorship Program since it started in 2016.

“Inclusion and diversity foster and enrich the work environment. Hydropower and women are key actors in the global energy transition, so it is by being associated with initiatives of this kind that we will promote gender diversity progress and a more sustainable world,” she said.

Find out more about GWNET by visiting its website.