“The agenda for the Global Women’s Forum Dubai revolved around the pillars of Achieving, Creating, Giving, Energising, and Sustaining. The Forum’s agenda highlighted DEWA’s ongoing efforts to further integrate women into the energy and innovation sectors, because women are essential to our achieving sustainable development. I am honoured that DEWA was chosen as the main partner for this forum, which was built around the theme of Let’s Innovate. The forum gave us the opportunity to demonstrate the importance of our country’s women, their contributions, and the large role they play in the development and prosperity of our community,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.
“During the forum, we showed our achievements in innovation and sustainable energy, in addition to the vital role Emirati woman play in the clean energy sector today. DEWA also presented its best international practices and experiences in enabling the community and the country’s women, via the Sustainable Energy platform. I assure you that our ongoing achievements shall not cease, we will continue to place our women at the forefront of the international community, becoming role models, and showing the positive image of the UAE’s women, in support of the wise vision that recognises the significance of renewable energy in achieving a balance between development and sustainability. This balance will help preserve the rights of future generations to live in a clean, healthy, and safe environment,” Al Tayer continued.
“I would like to note that DEWA has employed 1,700 female staff working in all its operations, 559 of whom work in engineering and other technical positions. 77% of DEWA’s female workforce comprise Emirati Nationals who enjoy a secure, stable environment, which allows them to grow their skillset and abilities and contribute to the National Innovation Strategy. The strategy is set to place the UAE amongst some of the most innovative countries in the world. This move also supports the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy for 2050 launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to make Dubai a global hub for clean energy, capable of acquiring 75% of its energy from clean sources by 2050, as well as enhancing Dubai’s international competitiveness in the energy sector to attract more investments,” added Al Tayer.
Khawla Al Mehairi, Vice President of Marketing & Corporate Communications at DEWA, Chairperson of DEWA’s Women’s Committee, and Board Member of Dubai Women Establishment, participated in a panel discussion entitled Gender Matters for Energy. Laure Alazet, New Business Incubator for South Asia, Middle East & Africa at ENGIE and Board Member of the Clean Energy Business Council, shared the panel with Al Mehairi. The session was moderated by Rym Ghazal from The National newspaper and attended by many participants.
During the forum, Al Mehairi highlighted the role of women as key partners in sustainable development, the important role they play in energy, conservation, and protecting natural resources. She added that the successes of sustainable development programmes are closely linked to the active participation of women. She also stressed that the role of women must not be ignored when energy-related policies and programmes are developed, noting that it’s important to raise women’s awareness as they play a key role in the rationalisation of energy use at home and in society as a whole. Women can be change agents who encourage the shift towards using sustainable energy.
“Industries are undergoing profound shifts in their business models because of developments in technology. As a result, labour markets are rapidly-changing and gender gaps are increasing in some industries, as jobs traditionally held by women become obsolete and opportunities are emerging in new markets. It’s important to realise these changes and be ready to take advantage of the opportunities and face the challenges presented by these developments,” said Al Mehairi.
“DEWA’s sponsorship of the Global Women’s Forum in Dubai, whose theme is ‘Let’s Innovate,’ supports DEWA’s Corporate Social Responsibility, and its strategy to take care of women as key partners in the development process. The Forum’s agenda and its five pillars align with DEWA’s efforts to promote the participation of women in emerging markets, and empower women in the workplace. Since its establishment, DEWA’s Women’s Committee has worked to provide a positive and stimulating work environment that supports female staff and helps them achieve a balance between their personal and professional lives,” she added.
Al Mehairi said that the UAE is the first Arab country to make it mandatory for public and private organisations to include women on their boards of directors. It is also the first Arab nation to establish a Gender Balance Council, to increase the presence of women in leading positions and enhance corporate efficiency.
Amal Koshak, Senior Manager of the Marketing Communications department at DEWA, led a session on Smart Homes for Generations to Come. DEWA’s strategy strongly supports the vision of Dubai Government by promoting sustainable development by driving energy and water-use efficiency and investing in alternative energy sources. Brian Hull, the Managing Director for ABB in Oman and Bahrain session also took part in the session.
“DEWA is in the process of establishing smart electricity and water grids that will be a vital foundation towards our transition into smart homes as per the directives and vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the smartest and happiest city in the World. DEWA is currently implementing three smart initiatives: the Shams Dubai Initiative, the Green Charger Initiative, and the Smart Applications through Smart Meters and Grids Initiative, to support the Smart City initiative, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,” said Koshak.
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