USAID's Engendering Utilities Program – Fact Sheet

The program works with electricity and water utilities in developing countries to increase economic opportunities for women and improve gender equality in the workplace. By expanding women's participation in the traditionally male-dominated energy and water sectors, the program leads to tangible economic empowerment outcomes for women, such as formal employment opportunities and higher income. Engendering Utilities delivers a unique approach to improving gender equality in the energy and water sectors. The program provides customized best practices, demand-driven coaching, and a Gender Equity Executive Leadership Program to build the capacity of utility leaders to implement gender equality interventions in their organizations. Partner utilities receive global best practices to implement gender equality interventions, a 12-month certificate program to empower employees to integrate gender equality initiatives, and tailored technical support from expert change management and gender equality coaches. The program began with a study in 2015 to examine gender disparities and the role of women within electricity distribution companies. The data showed wide variation in employment practices and outcomes, and suggested that women were underrepresented in the majority of positions. Acting on these research findings, USAID partnered with seven electricity distribution companies in five countries to collaboratively design tailored interventions to improve gender equality outcomes within their organizations. Today, USAID is working with 17 energy utilities in 14 countries globally, providing ongoing support to continue implementing, monitoring, and evaluating gender equality interventions. As a result of Engendering Utilities interventions, partner utilities are recruiting, retaining, and promoting more female employees. Utilities have adopted or refined Equal Employment Opportunity policies to create a more inclusive work environment. Utilities are utilizing sex-disaggregated employment and employee satisfaction data and are using this data in decision-making. Utility HR departments are addressing pay inequity, and flexible work schedules and childcare programs are providing support for parents. Utilities are engaging with their local communities to encourage women and girls to pursue STEM education and careers. Partner utilities have put forward nearly $500,000 in in-kind contributions to implement gender equality interventions. The program is expanding to include up to 10 new utilities in both the energy and water sectors, and is providing additional technical support related to agency-based leadership, engagement of men, and diagnostics. A robust knowledge management and sharing platform is also being developed to support networking and knowledge exchange among utilities and the wider energy and water community.