USAID’s Engendering Utilities, a program that advances gender equality in male-dominated industries, partnered with 12 new organizations to increase women’s participation in the global energy and water sectors. Building on the successes of our existing partnerships, the program expanded to work with 29 partners in 21 countries. By increasing employment opportunities for women in male-dominated sectors, Engendering Utilities provides tangible economic outcomes for women, including higher-quality and better-paying jobs, and increased household income.
Research shows that when women serve as leaders and employees, businesses benefit and company performance improves. Increasing gender equality enhances employee satisfaction, reduces turnover, and drives productivity, which helps companies meet their business goals. Engendering Utilities provides partner organizations with expert gender coaching, enabling them to uptake tools and actions known to increase gender equality at each phase of the employee life cycle: from recruiting and hiring, to retention and succession planning.
Employees from partner organizations are also invited to participate in Engendering Utilities’ Gender Equity Executive Leadership Program, a best-in-class 12-month executive course developed by Georgetown University McDonough School of Business and USAID that empowers decision-makers to integrate gender equality initiatives into their corporate structure.
The expansion of Engendering Utilities demonstrates the U.S. Government’s commitment to women’s economic empowerment. Engendering Utilities is supported by the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) Fund at USAID. W-GDP is the first-ever whole-of-government initiative focused on advancing women’s full and free participation in the global economy. By 2025, W-GDP aims to reach 50 million women through innovative and effective programs that advance women’s prosperity and participation in the economy.
Our New Partners
In 2020 Engendering Utilities partnered with the following energy and water utilities:
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