@ green | May-June , 2021

Bias towards women development was from women themselves

BY KHIRTINI K KUMARAN

Focusing on the role of women in energy transition and the increasing blurring of lines between the oil & gas and the renewable energy sector , the ‘ Conversation in D & I : Role of Women in Energy Transition ’ live event drew the interest of more than 100 participation from MGA and PLWN .

The audience was welcomed by the emcee , Nabila Farhana Zainal Abidin from PLWN . It was followed by opening remarks from Hazli Sham Kassim , who represented both organisations as the President of MGA and the Lead , Signature Program 2 of PETRONAS Leading Women

Network ( PLWN ).

The event featured three distinguished women professionals in the energy sector : Dr Wei-nee Chen ( Vice President , New Energy Ventures , Hibiscus Petroleum Berhad ), Barbara Jinks ( Programme Manager for Green Gas Delivery & Use , International Renewable Energy Agency ) and Suhana Sidik ( Head of Portfolio Management and Risk , New Energy , Petronas ).

The session was moderated by Rosman Hamzah , the Secretary-General of MGA .

Discussions were filled with captivating stories showcasing the panellists ’ unique experiences transcending between the oil & gas and the renewable energy sectors . Among the topics discussed were :

• the D & I status , opportunities and challenges in both sectors ;

• the blurring of the line between oil & gas and renewable energy provides opportunities for professionals to migrate or transverse between the two sectors ;

• how the two sectors could learn from each other to improve D & I and increase women participation at all levels . According to Suhana , while diversity ensured women joined and participated , inclusion was crucial to ensure women had a conducive environment and support to stay in the organisation and had equal opportunities for promotions .

She said : “ Companies that commit themselves to a more D & I leadership are proven to be more successful . At PLWN , gender D & I is high on our agenda . It is important to acknowledge that gender D & I is imperative and helps businesses thrive and achieve competitive advantage .”

Wei-nee added : “ We only have one earth , and we do not have planet B . And time is not on our side . What we lack in time , we make up by harnessing the immense talents of both women and men . We ’ ll get there . And when we do , we ’ ll know our transition has been just and inclusive .”

Barbara said gender balance was a keystone for greater sustainability and more inclusive energy development . The global energy transition allowed us to reshape how energy is produced and distributed to reach gender equality .

“ IRENA will continue to promote the importance of the role of women across all areas of renewable energy .”

Following were the key takeaways from the lively one-hour conversation between the moderator and panellists :

• Both sectors offer a different unique experience on D & I . The synergy between the two sectors is vital to enable its work environment to keep pace with the energy transition and provide longterm employment opportunities .

• With more women professionals traversing between the two energy sectors , their unique strength provides opportunities for improvement to create the right D & I environment for women to thrive .

• Turning words into action , the whole industry ecosystem needs to empower greater D & I in both sectors to accelerate and advance the energy transition .

• The broad participation of women in all the energy sectors is needed for a thriving clean energy transition . Similarly , gas & renewable energy complement each other in pursuit of the energy transition .

The conversation ended with the panellists sharing some advice for women in the energy industry .

Barbara urged women to follow their heart .

“ If you want to do something , you do it . Pick an industry , the renewables or gas that needs to be fixed , and make it better . And if you fail , that ’ s fine , but you will probably succeed if you love what you ’ re doing .”

She also advised them to reach out and ask for help from other women that they admire . “ I think most women would be happy to talk and help out .”

Wei-nee shared that women tend to miss out or forego an opportunity because they feel they are not ready or skilled yet . Her advice to women was to take up the possibility that aligned with their passion , even if they only had some of the skills .

“ Opportunities are hard to come by , so don ’ t miss out . Jump into that opportunity first . And after that , you work hard to deliver and make sure that you deliver .”

Suhana noted the most extensive critiques and bias towards women development were from women themselves .

“ We need to start supporting each other as we are in the minority . Let ’ s support and push each other up rather than pulling people down .” — @ green