Woman with energy: finale of the Women's Energy In Transition – Polish Edition 2023 program

Despite progress in gender equality, the labor market is still more favorable to men. According to the Gender Equality Index published by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), Poland ranks 18th out of 28 European Union member states in terms of gender equality. The lowest rated area in which there is a visible difference between women and men is work. The smaller representation of women is particularly visible in such key industries as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics).

Things might have been different if I were a man – said Dorota Chwieduk, professor, Ph.D. engineer from the Institute of Thermal Technology of the Warsaw University of Technology, during the final gala of the Polish edition of the Women's Energy In Transition program. The professor mentioned that as a student she was the only woman in the group. Discrimination against women in this area of ​​the economy began right after graduation.

I remember the first comments: how can a woman speak about energy? But I also remember the satisfaction when, at a foreign world congress, my paper was selected as a keynote to be presented in one of the thematic blocks. It was pride. Women are strong and can survive bad things to ultimately succeed in a man's world – she added.

Male energy sector?

According to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), women hold only 22% of all jobs in the energy production and distribution sector, of which only 14% of managerial positions and 32% of all jobs in the professional renewable energy sector, where 45% of them perform administrative functions. Meanwhile, it is worth remembering the role of women in the global context.

Today, there are more and more women in the energy industry, which is why, following the example of our company in France, we have organized the Women's Energy in Transition – Polish Edition program for the second time. A lot is changing in the energy industry, and we want to create an environment that is diverse in terms of age, culture, nationality and gender. Personally, I believe that Poland is currently undergoing a major process of change in this regard – commented Jacek Chodkowski, general director of the Dalkia Group in Poland.

The principle of balance is fundamental in the field of energy – adds – Therefore, let's all the more follow the example and balance the share of genders in the industry. Women bring valuable values ​​to work: extraordinary energy, creativity and relational competences that are essential today. And this contributes to dialogue, which should be obvious in the functioning of every company, not only from the energy industry – emphasizes Jacek Chodkowski.

Dalkia supports female talents in the energy sector

Dalkia Polska consistently supports women and appreciates their role in the energy sector. Therefore, in 2022, together with the Silesian University of Technology, it inaugurated the first Polish edition of the Women's Energy In Transition program. The initiative distinguishes the best diploma theses by students and graduates from Polish universities written on energy-related topics and focusing on key aspects of the energy transformation. It is worth noting that the program has its roots in France, and its scope has been extended to Poland due to the global nature of the energy transformation and the growing demand for women's participation in this industry.

2nd edition of supporting women's careers in Poland

On March 15, the final of the 2nd edition of the Women's Energy In Transition – Polish Edition program took place in Warsaw. The winners received cash prizes and attractive internship offers in the Dalkia Polska Group.

The event was hosted by Aleksandra Karasińska, editor-in-chief of Forbes Women, who gave a power speech about how not to let women's false beliefs about themselves block the development of their careers.

The program is a testament to our company's commitment to equal opportunities. Thanks to Women's Energy In Transition – Polish Edition, we want to show that the energy sector is open to women, their ideas, innovation and commitment – emphasized Ewa Gałecka, communications and PR manager of the Dalkia Polska Group.

The finale of the program was accompanied by a conference attended by representatives of partner universities supporting the initiative. The role of women in the energy industry and the need for systemic support for their careers by employers were discussed, including: in the form of internship competitions.

I am convinced that programs such as the one at the finale of which we are meeting have a real impact on eliminating gender inequality in the energy industry. – this is how professor Dorota Chwieduk assessed the initiative of the Dalkia Polska Group.

In turn, Wojciech Bujalski, Ph.D. engineer, prof. from the Warsaw University of Technology, drew attention to the importance of the practical aspect of education and cooperation with industry: Scholarship programs and the opportunity to gain experience in projects implemented by the industry are necessary to educate future engineers and later industry leaders, including women – he emphasized.

In the final of the 2nd edition of the Women's Energy In Transition – Polish Edition program, awards and distinctions for outstanding diploma theses that contribute to the development and transformation of the energy sector went to:

• 1st place: Magdalena Przewoźniak, AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków
• 2nd place: Justyna Łaskawska, AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków
• 3rd place – ex aequo: Urszula Derkacz, Poznań University of Technology and Agnieszka Gierz, Warsaw University of Technology
• Honorable Mentions: Aleksandra Hudek and Anna Komenda, AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków

More information about the event can be found at:

https://dalkiapolska.com/pl/women-s-energy-in-transition-polish-edition