Slow but steady shift towards workplace inclusion

Career progression is consistently the top reason professionals choose to switch sectors, and companies that clearly define paths to advancement will be best positioned to recruit and retain women in energy

- ABDULAZIZ KHATTAK

IN an industry long dominated by men, the tide is beginning to turn, albeit gradually. Women in the global energy sector are carving out space in an evolving landscape shaped by technological advancement, climate imperatives, and a surging demand for diverse talent.

According to the 2025 Global Energy Talent Index (GETI) report, which surveyed over 10,000 professionals across 150 nationalities, the representation of women in the energy workforce has grown marginally in the past five years.

While progress is slow, the growing acknowledgment of the role women can play in shaping the energy future signals a promising, if overdue, change.

A SNAPSHOT OF REPRESENTATION

The GETI report reveals a modest increase in female representation across energy sectors. In the traditional energy domain — covering oil, gas, and petrochemicals — female participation has risen from 10 per cent in 2021 to 12 per cent in 2025.

The transitional energy sector, comprising power and nuclear, shows slightly better figures, with women now accounting for 14 per cent of the workforce.

The future of energy, driven by renewables and innovative technologies, reports the highest female representation at 22 per cent, a figure that has remained static in recent years.

This slow pace of growth suggests that while awareness has increased, significant systemic challenges remain.