Mission
GWNET empowers women in energy through interdisciplinary networking, advocacy, training, coaching and mentoring, and services related to projects and financing. GWNET seeks to address the current gender imbalances in the energy sector and to promote gender-sensitive action around the energy transition in all parts of the world.
History
It is a well-known fact that the energy sector continues to be male-dominated. The absence of gender equality can be observed in all parts of the world.
Gender inequality is even more prevalent at decision-making levels. Women are generally under-represented on company boards and across senior management positions, as well as in politics. This reality of under-representation is even more accentuated in energy-related fields. As a result, the few women that manage to secure top positions are often less connected with their peers than their male colleagues.
It is important to note that gender equality has proven to be an indispensable factor in reaching sustainability. Gender diversity drives innovation, opens new pathways for technology deployment, brings fresh perspectives to the development of societies and attracts and retains a richer pool of talent.
These observations motivated four women professionals working in the sustainable energy field to found the Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition (GWNET). GWNET is a global network aiming at empowering women working in sustainable energy in all parts of the world at different career levels from both the public and the private sector. GWNET is an international non-profit organisation founded in 2017 under Austrian law.
Statutes
GWNET is governed by statutes. Read the statutes here.
As noted in the statutes, the organs of GWNET include:
- The General Assembly;
- The Governing Board;
- The International Secretariat.
To guide its global activities, GWNET has created an Advisory Council.
Governing Board
IRENE GINER-REICHL
Austrian Ambassador to Brazil and Suriname
Chairperson of the GWNET Governing Board
SANDRA RETZER
Director Development Policy Forum, GIZ
Member of the GWNET Governing Board (Deputy Treasurer)
BARBARA FISCHER-AUPPERLE
Hydropower professional, Coach and Mentor
Member of the GWNET Governing Board (Treasurer)
RABIA FERROUKHI
Director of the Knowledge, Policy and Finance Division of
IRENA
Member of the GWNET Governing Board (Deputy Rapporteur)
Advisory Council
ASTRID HARZ
Director, Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, Austria
ARTHOUROS ZERVOS
Chair, REN21
Former United Nations Under-Secretary-General and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All
International Secretariat
GWNET Executive Director
christine.lins@globalwomennet.org
Christine Lins is the Executive Director of GWNET where she takes care of network, strategy and work plan development as well as fundraising and oversees the implementation of various projects. Besides this, Christine is a member of the Board of Directors of the International Solar Energy Society (ISES).
Between July 2011 and March 2018, Christine acted as Executive Secretary of the Renewable Energy Policy Network of the 21st Century (REN21), headquartered at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Paris, France. Between 2001 and 2011, Christine served as Secretary General of the European Renewable Energy Council. She also worked in a regional energy agency in Austria promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. Christine holds a Masters degree in international economics and applied languages and has more than 23 years of experience working in the field of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency.
DAVINA NGEI
GWNET Communications Manager
davina.ngei@globalwomennet.org
Davina is the Communications Manager at GWNET where she works closely with the management to support advocacy, networking, and mentorship projects. Prior to joining GWNET, Davina worked as the Communications Specialist at the Partnership on Women’s Entrepreneurship in Renewables (wPOWER Hub), where she led the development of several key publications focused on the nexus of gender and renewable energy. She is also an experienced content creator, consulting with businesses across several sectors.
IRINA GAUBINGER
GWNET Project Manager
irina.gaubinger@globalwomennet.org
Irina Gaubinger is the project manager at GWNET and is responsible for implementing its various projects in close collaboration with GWNET’s Executive Director. Irina takes care of GWNET’s current research activities on energy and women empowerment and supports GWNET’s communication activities and events.
Irina has been working as a freelance consultant, researching and advising on energy, infrastructure and financial sector themes since 2012. Between 2010 and 2012 she was project manager with the EU Energy Initiative – Partnership Dialogue Facility hosted by GIZ. Irina holds a Master’s degree in Economics from Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration and has 10 years of experience with energy in the international development cooperation context.
EVA HAUSER
GWNET Project Assistant
eva.hauser@globalwomennet.org
Eva joined GWNET as the Project Assistant in June 2019. She takes over responsibilities including the organisation of upcoming GWNET events and supports the Executive Director in general administrative work. Eva holds a Master`s degree in Anthropology from the Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales, Sede Ecuador (FLACSO). She conducted research in the fields of Gender and Economy in the Latin American context.
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