USAID Urja Nepal, an energy development activity, on Friday launched a programme for the development of leadership and management skills for women in the energy sector.

The programme aims to make women capable of advancing the next generation of women leaders in the energy sector.

This programme will complement Nepal’s efforts to increase the participation of women in traditionally male-dominated professions, particularly in the electricity sector where they remain poorly represented in leadership positions.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Nepal government’s electricity sector counterparts co-designed this programme to provide insights into the challenges women are facing every day.

“This understanding will identify the needed training and capacity building to close current technical gaps and improve leadership skills,” USAID said in a statement.

During the nine-month programme, the sessions will provide technical training in subjects relevant to Nepal’s energy sector, as well as leadership courses that focus on highlighting leadership skills and career advancement.

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Pampha Bhusal said the programme is in line with the government’s strong emphasis on increasing the involvement of women and minorities in decision-making roles in every sector.

“I understand that women and minorities are underrepresented in Nepal’s energy sector and believe that the programme launched by USAID Urja Nepal will be a stepping stone to make this sector inclusive,” said Bhusal.

Sepideh Keyvanshad, USAID/Nepal Mission Director, stated, “We are celebrating another milestone in how we are partnering with Nepal to move the energy sector forward by specifically targeting the future women energy sector leaders.”