Around the world, women are disproportionately affected by poverty. Sustainable programs hope to address this inequality, fighting gendered poverty through clean energy careers for women.

Women in Energy Networks – Africa

Since it was founded in 2024, WEN-Africa has fought to boost female representation in the African energy sector. It promotes gender equality and clean energy (like geothermal energy).

In the year since its establishment, the organization has:

• Held training conferences targeted at women to better their skills and, as a result, their chances at employment opportunities.
• Created mentorship programs for African women working in energy through an expansive network, partnering with major companies.
• Fought for gender-progressive legislation related to the energy sector across Africa.

LaGeo’s Opportunities for Women

Geothermal energy is a vital resource in El Salvador, a volcanic “hot spot” that generates one-quarter of its electricity from this source. El Salvador’s LaGeo, an electricity generation company, operates two geothermal plants extracting energy from volcanoes. The company launched projects to employ local women in farming communities surrounding its geothermal plants.

These initiatives helped boost the economy in regions especially vulnerable to extreme poverty. Waste from geothermal plants, like condensates and steam, is utilized in these projects to water plants and dry fruits. This also fights the climate crisis by reducing the use of fossil fuels for the same purposes.

Fighting gendered poverty through clean energy, LaGeo provides women with opportunities to earn additional income by hiring them as park rangers to conserve local forests and plant cacao. Beyond income, these roles equip women with valuable job skills, from learning English to environmental stewardship.

Stories of Women Empowered

Women like Yenni Guadalupe Castillo Argueta directly benefit from LaGeo’s efforts. In just one year, she ascended the ranks of the Communications branch at LaGeo. Her career success inspired her to pursue higher education beyond her high school diploma, especially with the education reimbursement of up to 90% provided by the company.

Similarly, Rosa Escobar has been employed at LaGeo for 20 years. She is currently the Engineering Manager and part of the 45% of female management. Her designs lead sustainability efforts. Additionally, the company promises explicitly equal pay in deep contrast to the gender wage gap that exists in so many other workplaces.

On March 28, 2025, the World Bank sponsored a $150 million project to build a third geothermal plant. LaGeo plans to use the project to advance both its sustainability goals and efforts to empower women, furthering the fight against gendered poverty.

The Bottom Line

From Africa to Latin America, people are fighting gendered poverty through clean energy, training and providing opportunities to women in the energy sector. Simultaneously taking strides toward gender equality and reducing environmental pollution, the world can finally believe in a better tomorrow.

– Klara Jones

Klara is based in Los Angeles, CA, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

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