Annual Workshop: She Leads - Driving Change, Building Futures

On October 20, 2025, the SHE LEADS workshop series concluded its journey with the final annual workshop “Driving Change, Building Futures” in Amman. This milestone event was conducted under the Jordanian-German Energy Partnership by the Jordanian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) and implemented by the German Energy Agency (dena). The event brought together more than 70 participants from government, private sector, and civil society.The joint work and workshop series were supported by the EDAMA Association, fostered dialogue and collaboration to strengthen women’s role and leadership in Jordan’s energy sector.

Opening the Way for Transformation

In welcoming remarks, Eng. Lina Al Mobaideen (MEMR), Mr. Guido Kemmerling (German Embassy), Dr. Irina Höhna (dena), and Mr. Samer Joudeh (EDAMA) emphasized that empowering women is not only a technical necessity but a societal priority. “We cannot afford to disregard the immense potential and resilience of women in the energy sector,” said Mr. Guido Kemmerling, calling for more flexible and inclusive workplaces.
Dr Höhna highlighted the workshop series as an example of strategic cooperation under the Jordanian-German Energy Partnership driving real change and urged stakeholders “to continue leading with dedication and courage.”

Reflecting on Progress and Charting the Future

The Session I introduced the achievements of the Gender Task Force, co-led by Eng. Rasha Abu Marar (MEMR) and Ms. Carolin Krolik (dena), one of the key initiatives of the energy partnership. Established in 2024, the Task Force has laid the foundation for gender equity as a driver of transformation. The next milestone will be a Gender Analysis in November 2025 to identify key challenges and new opportunities for women’s empowerment in the Jordanian Energy Sector.

Session II focused on reviewing insights from all SHE LEADS workshops, tracing the evolution from identifying key challenges to developing practical tools, recommendations, and institutional commitments. These outcomes lay the foundation for the task force’s continued activities in the coming years. The discussions reaffirmed that advancing gender equality is essential to achieving a sustainable and future-ready energy transition.

Co-Designing Awareness and Action

Session III, led by EDAMA and the Ministry of Labor, invited participants to co-design awareness campaigns promoting women’s empowerment in the energy sector. The discussions first focused on identifying key challenges, with participants emphasizing the lack of recognition, motivation, and administrative support; unfair HR practices and discrimination in promotions; and the insufficient support for mothers balancing work and family life as the top priorities. They also explored how artificial intelligence could contribute to advancing gender equality, with most participants expressing optimism about its potential. Finally, to ensure women in other governorates have opportunities equal to those in Amman, participants proposed local campaigns implemented through civil society organizations as an effective approach. Participants also proposed practical steps such as safe transport, workplace nurseries, and stronger complaint mechanisms. Eventually the Ministry of Labor presented a new protection platform for filing gender-based claims.

A Collective Commitment to Change

In closing, it was emphasized that gender equality is not just another topic; it’s a core value and a driving force for societal transformation. Through its work program and a series of interactive activities, the Task Force as part of the program of the Jordanian-German Energy partnership has created a model of collaboration, resilience, and inclusive leadership that drives change and shapes the future of the energy sector and beyond. We extend our sincere thanks to all engaged colleagues for their outstanding dedication, commitment, and professionalism.