Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) | DEWA highlights role of women in the energy sector at Global Women’s Forum – Dubai 2020

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is participating in the Global Women’s Forum – Dubai 2020 as the Strategic Sustainability Partner. The Forum, which is organised by Dubai Women Establishment (DWE) under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will be held on 16 - 17 February 2020 in Madinat Jumeirah under the theme ‘Power of Influence.’

"In line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, we empower women, promote their roles and enhance their capabilities so that they contribute to the empowerment of society as a whole. We also strive to provide a positive and motivating environment that supports women in the workplace and helps them achieve a balance between their professional and social lives. We give female staff full confidence to harness their scientific and practical capabilities to achieve success, excellence and actively participate in development and sustainability efforts as well as in preparing future generations,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.

“We are proud of our partnership with Dubai Women Establishment in this important global event as its Strategic Sustainability Partner of the forum whose goals are aligned with our efforts to enhance women's participation in the development sectors, especially energy, creativity and innovation,” added Al Tayer.

On the first day, at the Future Hub session, Khawla Al Mehairi, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Government Communications at DEWA will participate in a panel discussion entitled ‘Equality in the Energy Sector.’ Other panellists in the session are Dr Lamya Nawaf Fawwaz, Executive Director of Brand & Strategic Initiatives at the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), and Valerie Levkov, Senior Vice President, Africa, Middle East and the Mediterranean at Électricité de France (EDF).

Al Mehairi will speak about DEWA’s experience in empowering women in the energy sector and providing a positive and motivating environment that supports women in the workplace and helps them achieve a balance between their professional and social lives. A number of DEWA officials will also participate in different sessions on sustainability and women’s role in innovation, as well as best international practices and experiences in empowering society and women.

At Future Hub, DEWA’s sessions on the second day include ‘The Power of Sustainable Action’, with the participation of Mohammed Al Shamsi, Chief Officer-Climate Change & Sustainability at DEWA & Acting Executive Director of UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia); Abdulrahman Al Jamea, Vice President- Corporate Strategy Risk & Resilience at DEWA; Athbeh Hamdan Al Shehhi, Senior Engineer, Climate Change & Sustainability at DEWA; Maryam Khansaheb, Senior Engineer - Sustainability at DEWA. DEWA’s sessions on the second day also include a session entitled ‘Innovation for The Future’, with the participation of Matar Al Mehairi, Chief Innovation Officer at DEWA; Dr.Aaesha Al Nuaimi, Director of the Solar Innovation Centre at DEWA; Reem Mustafawi; Senior Specialist - Innovation & The Future at DEWA; and Dr. Hesham Ismail, Senior Researcher- 4IR at DEWA.

DEWA employs 1,933 women in its workforce, 80% of whom are Emiratis. This includes 646 female engineers and technicians, 87% of them being Emiratis. DEWA’s female staff take part in numerous volunteering activities inside and outside of the UAE. In 2019, they spent over 13,300 volunteering hours in 40 humanitarian and social initiatives. Female staff also actively participate in conservation and community awareness programmes, especially those that target women.