Gender & Energy Compact

Catalyzing Action towards gender equality and women’s empowerment to accelerate a just, inclusive and sustainable energy transition

Gender equality is a human right. It is also smart economics, driving innovation, opening new pathways for technology deployment and providing a richer talent pool for key and emerging industries.

Since its inception in 2008, the Forum has been working to close gender gaps, enhance women’s participation and foster women’s empowerment. Gender mainstreaming is a crucial part of the planning, implementation and evaluation of the International Vienna Energy and Climate Forum. Backed-up by a gender mainstreaming strategy and action plan, a dual track approach of gender mainstreaming has been followed:

  • Gender is mainstreamed through women’s participation across all sessions and in different roles and gender perspective integrated throughout all discussions, sessions and communication efforts under the Forum.
  • Targeted networking events for women, campaigns and panel discussions that highlighted gender dimensions and women’s empowerment aim for a paradigm shift.

In 2021, the Forum Virtual Series launched a call to action to empower women to accelerate the clean energy transition. It called upon organizations, governments, private sector, academia, civil society and media to take urgent action to deliver energy access, build adequate skills and develop a conducive environment that supports progress and avenues to fully utilize the potential of women to contribute to just, inclusive and energy transition — as leaders, employees, entrepreneurs and consumers.

This was pivotal to create the Gender and Energy Compact, a global, multi-stakeholder coalition aimed at catalyzing action towards gender equality and women’s empowerment to accelerate a just, inclusive and sustainable energy transition. Today, ten champion countries and more than 75 partners have committed to take action to enhance gender equality and empower women. Find out how your organization can join.

The forums edition 2023 once again advocated for gender balance and mainstream gender dimensions throughout its programme and topics by discussing means to enhance gender equality and empower women and girls in each session.

Sign up to our newsletter to keep up-to-date!

For more information on this specific Energy Compact, please contact:

For more information, please visit UN Energy.