BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL), India

BRPL was formed in 2002 and serves around 2.4 million customers in New Delhi. Of their 2,700 employees, just 11 percent are women. USAID is proud to work with BRPL in their commitment to improve gender equality in the energy sector as part of their path to long-term success.

India is now the third-largest producer and fourth-largest consumer of electricity in the world. The country has around 350 GW of installed generation capacity, from a combination of conventional fossil fuels, nuclear, hydro, wind, solar, agricultural waste, and domestic waste. Renewable energy is the fastest-growing source, and the Government of India released a roadmap to install 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2022.

India’s energy sector remains male-dominated. According to the International Labor Organization, India has one of the lowest women’s labor force participation rates, with women making up less than a quarter of the total labor force. Furthermore, Indian women are not well represented in most sectors, and only roughly nine percent of firms have female top managers.

USAID is partnering with BRPL through the Engendering Industries program to assess and identify high-impact interventions that can improve gender equality within the organization. Through Engendering Industries, USAID is supporting BRPL staff on gender equality and business best practices, and a dedicated change management coach provided by Engendering Industries is working with BRPL to identify opportunities to empower women to seek leadership opportunities, and select utility personnel are participating in the Gender Equity Executive Leadership Program in collaboration with Georgetown University. Through this coaching, the utility will develop a tailored action plan to best fit their needs. BRPL will also place a strong emphasis on engaging influential male leaders as champions of gender equality.

About Engendering Industries

GridCo Technicians

Ryan Kilpatrick / USAID

Launched in 2015, USAID’s Engendering Industries program supports organizations in developing countries to increase economic opportunities for women and improve gender equality in the workplace. Expanding women’s participation in male-dominated sectors leads to tangible economic empowerment outcomes for women, such as formal employment opportunities and higher income. Increased gender equality also improves an organization’s business performance, helping companies meet their bottom-line by enhancing employee satisfaction, reducing turnover, and driving productivity. Well-functioning organizations are also vital in supporting stronger and more resilient economies. Through a customized best practices framework, demand-driven coaching, and a Gender Equity Executive Leadership Program, Engendering Industries builds the capacity of leaders to implement gender equality interventions that increase the professional participation of women and improve business performance.

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