USAID Urja Nepal Concludes Leadership Program for Women in the Energy Sector

Kathmandu: USAID Urja Nepal successfully concluded its nine-month-long “Training Program for the Development of Leadership and Management Skills for Women in Nepal’s Energy Sector”. The leadership program aimed to assist women leaders in advancing their leadership skills, enhancing their professional influence, and making effective business decisions to accelerate Nepal’s energy transition.

Co-designed with input from women leaders in the sector, the program focused on addressing key challenges in the power sector, including cross-border electricity trade and project financial management. It also aimed to equip participants with leadership skills to navigate the male-dominated energy industry and provided a platform for networking and knowledge exchange among women leaders.

At the end of the program, participants demonstrated renewed technical expertise and showcased skills in building professional networks, self-advocacy, and career confidence. They also developed a deeper appreciation for effective leadership and expressed a willingness to expand their professional connections.

“Over the course of this program, we have been privileged to learn the skills, insights, and experiences from some of the eminent experts in their respective fields,” said Prabina Chettri, assistant manager at Nepal Electricity Authority and one of the participants of the program. “The workshop has immensely contributed to expanding our professional horizons. It has not only honed our skills but also challenged us to redefine our own potential and motivated us to have a mindset of continuous learning.”

To celebrate the achievements of the women leaders, USAID Urja Nepal organized a closing ceremony on 28 July. The event highlighted the significant support from the Government of Nepal, including Energy Minister Shakti Bahadur Basnet, in promoting gender equality and inclusion. It also served as a networking opportunity, enabling participants to interact with women leaders from various industries, including energy, banking, information technology, and politics.

Speaking at the event, Energy Minister Shakti Bahadur Basnet congratulated the participants and reiterated the government’s commitment to make the sector more inclusive. “The ministry would like to see women in leadership roles in the energy sector in the coming days,” said Basnet.

During the event, Sepideh Keyvanshad, USAID/Nepal’s Mission Director also said, “Through this program, we aspire to create a ripple effect where today’s participants become tomorrow’s champions, mentoring others in their journey towards leadership.”

“I am aware that women are underrepresented in Nepal’s energy sector and I believe that a program like this will empower our women who are already in the sector as well as encourage more to participate and lead the sector,” said Nisha Dangi, member of parliament at House of Representatives of Nepal speaking at the event.