USAID Urja Nepal concludes leadership training for women in energy sector

KATHMANDU: USAID Urja Nepal on Friday concluded its nine-month-long 'Training Programme for the Development of Leadership and Management Skills for Women in Nepal's Energy Sector'. The leadership programme 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 programme 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.   “Over the course of this programme, 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 programme. “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.” [gallery columns="2" link="file" size="full" ids="40003,40004"] To celebrate the achievements of the women leaders, USAID Urja Nepal organised a closing ceremony on July 28. The event highlighted the significant support from the Government of Nepal, including Minister for Energy and Water Resources, 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. [gallery columns="1" size="full" link="file" ids="39994"] Addressing the event, Minister 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,” he said. [gallery link="file" size="full" ids="39999,40002,40001,40000,39998,39997"] At the event, Sepideh Keyvanshad, USAID/Nepal’s Mission Director said, “Through this programme, we aspire to create a ripple effect where today's participants become tomorrow's champions, mentoring others in their journey towards leadership.” [gallery columns="2" link="file" size="full" ids="39996,39995"] “I am aware that women are underrepresented in Nepal’s energy sector and I believe that a programme like this will empower women who are already in the sector and also encourage others to participate and lead the sector,” said Nisha Dangi, a member of the House of Representatives of the Federal Parliament. At the end of the programme, 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. READ ALSO:

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