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Jordanian-Palestinian Seminar Discusses Women's Empowerment and Expanding Their Participation in the Energy Sector

May 21, 2026 – Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR), Eng. Amani Al-Azzam, emphasized the importance of strengthening gender mainstreaming in the energy sector, highlighting its role in building a more inclusive, diverse, and future-ready sector.

Speaking at the opening of the Jordanian-Palestinian dialogue seminar entitled “Promoting Gender Mainstreaming in the Energy Sector,” organized jointly by the Jordanian MEMR and the Palestinian Energy and Natural Resources Authority, with support from the World Bank and participation from specialists and stakeholders from both sides, Al-Azzam stated that empowering women in this vital sector is a key pillar for fostering innovation and enhancing institutional and technical efficiency amid the rapid developments taking place in renewable energy, digital transformation, and emerging technologies.

She noted that the seminar serves as an important platform for exchanging knowledge and expertise and strengthening cooperation between Jordan and Palestine, reflecting the deep fraternal relations between the two countries, particularly in the energy sector.

Al-Azzam pointed out that Jordan has made notable progress in recent years in increasing women’s participation in the energy sector, both in technical and engineering fields and within institutional roles. However, she stressed the continued need to expand women’s representation in leadership positions and decision-making centers.

She also highlighted the challenges that women continue to face, including limited opportunities for knowledge transfer and weak professional networking, affirming Jordan’s readiness to share its experiences with the Palestinian side and support the establishment of professional platforms and networks that contribute to women’s empowerment and strengthen regional cooperation in the energy sector.

For her part, Eng. Reem Karzoun of the Palestinian Energy and Natural Resources Authority emphasized the importance of increasing women’s participation in the energy sector. She noted that the Authority implements workshops and activities aimed at supporting women’s involvement and facilitating access to renewable energy projects, in addition to developing a gender strategy to strengthen the integration of Palestinian women. She also expressed her appreciation to the World Bank and MEMR for supporting knowledge exchange initiatives.

Karzoun stated that the energy sector is one of the most vital sectors and that the Palestinian Energy Authority places significant importance on institutionalizing women’s participation in the sector and facilitating access to renewable energy opportunities through a variety of activities, including workshops and regular meetings that encourage women’s engagement in these projects.

The Deputy Financial Director at the Palestinian Energy Authority also underscored the importance of strengthening gender mainstreaming within the Authority and increasing women’s participation in both technical and leadership roles. She noted the Authority’s commitment to moving beyond planning and toward more effective institutional and operational implementation of gender integration practices.

During the seminar, Eng. Bushra Al-Abadi, Director of the Planning and International Cooperation Directorate at MEMR, presented an overview of women’s participation in Jordan’s energy sector. She indicated that women represent no more than 10% of the workforce in the sector, despite accounting for 55% of university students and 30% of engineering students in the Kingdom.

Al-Abadi discussed the key challenges facing women in the sector, including social and cultural norms, economic barriers, underrepresentation in decision-making positions, and limited opportunities for training and professional development. She emphasized the importance of fostering a supportive work environment and expanding professional networks to enable women to reach leadership positions.

She also highlighted the opportunities available to women in the energy sector, particularly in renewable energy and green hydrogen, as well as the international support provided through training and financing programs. In addition, she noted the growing role of female entrepreneurship and international partnerships in strengthening women’s participation in the sector.