SHE LEADS III & IV: From Challenges to Change – Turning Recommendations into Action for Gender Equality in Jordan’s Energy Sector

On August 21 and September 25, 2025, the third and fourth SHE LEADS workshops were held at the German Energy Academy and at the EDAMA Office respectively in Amman, both marking a milestone in advancing women’s participation and leadership within Jordan’s energy sector. Conducted under the Jordanian-German Energy Partnership by the Jordanian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR), the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) and implemented by the German Energy Agency (dena) with support by EDAMA Association, both sessions focused on transforming challenges into concrete, actionable solutions.

Workshop III: From Challenges to Change - A Tool Development Workshop

The third workshop gathered around 35 professionals from public institutions, private companies, and academia to translate the eight key challenges identified in earlier sessions into practical, policy-aligned tools. Participants worked in focused groups to design solutions addressing injustices such as workplace discrimination, unfair HR practices, limited support for mothers, weak enforcement of labor laws, and barriers to women’s advancement in technical roles. The recommendations identified during this process include reviewing internal policies to promote fairness and equality in the workplace, regularly assessing employee satisfaction regarding fairness, equal opportunities, and career development, and applying clear, gender-neutral standards in recruitment.

Following opening remarks by Eng. Rasha Abu Marar (MEMR), each group developed measures that could be integrated into institutional frameworks. The results were presented to an expert panel including Mr. Mohammad Wreikat (Ministry of Labor), Ms. Nancy Mittwalli (Cities and Villages Development Bank), and Ms. Manal Altalalah (Tuned Energy Company), who provided valuable feedback on feasibility and alignment with existing regulations and HR systems. Despite diverse perspectives, common themes and shared tools emerged, laying the groundwork for implementation.

Workshop IV: Pathways to Implementation

Held on September 25^th, the fourth SHE LEADS roundtable shifted focus from design to action. About 30 representatives from government bodies, energy companies, and civil-society organizations reviewed and prioritized the proposed recommendations. Facilitated by Eng. Rasha Abu Marar (MEMR) and moderated by Hala Ahmad (EDAMA), participants identified the three most feasible and high-impact measures for immediate rollout. These include showcasing female role models in the energy sector and motivating women with female success stories. It also includes promoting gender awareness by emphasizing the significance of women's roles in the energy field. One of the most crucial aspects is making the working environment and arrangements more adaptable to meet the unique needs of women.

Through open dialogue and expert input, lead and supporting institutions were assigned to each recommendation, along with follow-up mechanisms to monitor progress. The session concluded with proposals for tangible institutional commitments, signalling a collective step from planning to implementation.

Driving Sustainable Change

Together, Workshops III and IV represent a turning point in the SHE LEADS journey: moving from dialogue toward institutional ownership, possible solutions and sustained impact. The initiative - jointly driven by the Task Force on Women in the Energy Sector continues to build inclusive pathways for women’s empowerment, ensuring that Jordan’s energy transition is not only sustainable but also equitable.