General
Source: Think Geoenergy
WING Africa, the African "chapter" of the international group of Women in Geothermal (WING) was officially launched during a reception held on 1 November 2016 at the United Nations Conference Center in Addis Ababa/ Ethiopia.
In conjunction with the currently held African Rift Geothermal Conference in Addis Ababa/ Ethiopia, a “new kid on the geothermal block” was launched, WING Africa.
The African “chapter” of the international Women in Geothermal (WING) was officially launched during a reception held on 1 November 2016 at the United Nations Conference Center in Addis Ababa.
WING was initiated as international group around the GRC Annual Meeting 2013 in Las Vegas/ U.S. Established now as an organisation it is a non-profit volunteer based association that advocates the strengthening of women’s voice, diversity and inclusiveness in the geothermal industry. AS the African affiliate WING Africa aims at adapting and customising the mission and vision of the global body to the realities in the African context.
“I am extremely delighted, humbled and honoured to be pioneering interim Chairperson of WING Africa. I believe Africa has solutions for all its energy challenges, and that women will play a big role in the development of geothermal energy,”, noted an elated Ms. Phyllis Mathenge, a drilling engineer at Kenya’s Geothermal Development Company (GDC) when she took to the podium to address the 200+ participants of the reception.
WING Africa has noble objectives that will ultimately bring more women in geothermal into policy and decision making level, and encourage more African women to join the geothermal industry. It already has over 50 members drawn from all the 13 ARGeo countries and has subscribed to the IGA-Africa Regional Branch. Women from all professions are encouraged to join WING Arica, as well as men who support the growth of WING. “Such noble men qualify jo join as WING-men”, so the statement by the group.
“At WING Africa we will share knowledge, mentor one another and grow together. We want to dare into the boardrooms together. We hope to create a balance in the workplace. We want to join forces with men and create a geothermal industry of the future; an industry where men and women will be in equilibrium,” added Ms. Mathenge.
The Association will create a platform to mentor young girls who choose careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects to rise up to the highest heights. WING Africa will also work with, and empower women in communities wo make most, if not all, domestic energy consumption decisions.
By Alexander Richter