Irbid District Electricity Company (IDECO), Jordan

IDECO is a generation, transmission, and distribution company in northern Jordan, providing energy to approximately 25.6 percent of the country. The utility has around 1,300 employees, of which only six percent are women. USAID is proud to work with IDECO in their commitment to improve gender equality in the energy sector as part of their path to long-term success.

Jordan’s power sector has undergone significant transformations over the last 20 years. In 2002, Jordan passed a national electricity law that called for an independent regulator and privatization of state-run electric distribution companies. In addition, USAID’s ongoing Energy Sector Capacity Building project is promoting the practical and efficient use of alternative and renewable energy sources to decrease dependence on imported oil and gas.

From a gender equity perspective, transformation of the energy sector has been slower. Though most Jordanian women are educated, and represent 60 percent of all university graduates in the country, women comprise just 13 percent of active labor market participants, and even fewer in the energy sector.

USAID is partnering with IDECO through the Engendering Industries program to assist in the development of their tailored action plan to incorporate gender equity into their business practices. IDEDCO’s HR specialists took part in Engendering Industries’ customized Gender Equity Executive Leadership (GEELP) program, in partnership with Georgetown University. The program’s capstone project required participants to address methods to integrate gender equity into the HR employee lifecycle and utilize advanced change management approaches to maximize their company’s cultural evolution. Participants then presented their recommendations to the utility’s top leadership. The executive course was complemented by customized expert coaching, as well as the development of a global employee life cycle best practices framework and an equity scorecard to document lessons learned and track progress. This partnership has resulted in significant and substantial progress toward a gender-equitable future for the company. This partnership has resulted in significant and substantial progress toward a gender-equitable future for the company.

About Engendering Industries

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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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