ROSEMARY IDEM Rosemary Idem is Programme Manager, Gender and Youth at Sustainable Energy for All, responsible for leading efforts on removing current barriers to women and youth participation in the clean energy workforce; and in identifying, supporting, and championing the next generation of women and youth energy leaders to close the energy >VViÃÃ}>«>`iÃÕÀiiÃivÌLi `° Rosemary is an energy expert with extensive experience in the off –grid energy sector, Vi> iiÀ}Þ ÌÀ>ÃÌ >` iiÀ}Þ v>V}° Her expertise includes off-grid renewable energy development, policy design, power sector reform, risk and business continuity management, infrastructure financing, and }i`iÀ>ÃÌÀi>}°*ÀÀÌ iÀÀi>Ì SEforALL, she worked in the Nigerian Rural Electrification Agency, where she supported the design and implementation of the Nigerian off-grid electrification programme and Nigeria iVÌÀvV>Ì *ÀiVÌ > fxxä >VÌÞ Ì rapidly increase and develop solar mini grids and `i«ÞÃ>À iÃÞÃÌiÃ>VÀÃÃÌ iVÕÌÀÞ° AVA STRASSER Ava Strasser is a Gender & Youth Analyst at Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), where she leads initiatives to advance gender equality and youth inclusion in the ÃÕÃÌ>>Li iiÀ}Þ ÃiVÌÀ° iÀ ÜÀ VÕ`ià implementing SEforALL’s STEM Traineeship programme in Sierra Leone and Panama and spearheading the organization’s efforts to >ÃÌÀi>}i`iÀ>`ÞÕÌ >VÀÃÃÌÃÜÀ° At SEforALL, Ava has conducted research on standardizing gender indicators for tracking progress towards SDG 7 and the intersections v }i`iÀ] iiÀ}Þ] >` >ÀÌvV> Ìi}iVi° Prior to joining SEforALL, Ava held positions ÜÌ Ì i "7À}ÀÕ«7i] Peace and Security and the United Nations i«>ÀÌiÌv*i>Vi"«iÀ>ÌðƂÛ> `à a Master of Science in Global Affairs with a concentration in Peacebuilding from New York University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science: International & Comparative Politics >`i`iÀE7i½Ã-ÌÕ`iÃvÀ7iÃÌiÀ V }>1ÛiÀÃÌÞ°
it is also an economic opportunity. Research indicates that companies with gender-diverse leadership outperform their peers in terms of innovation and financial performance. In the context of AI, diverse development teams are more likely to produce systems that are ethical, unbiased and responsive to the needs of diverse populations. Similarly, in the energy sector, involving women in leadership and technical roles leads to more effective and inclusive decision-making, ultimately accelerating the transition to sustainable energy. The transition to a sustainable and inclusive energy future demands a concerted effort from governments, private sector actors and civil society. Public and private investments must prioritise projects that advance gender equity and sustainable energy access. This includes funding for education and training programmes that empower women to pursue careers in STEM and energy-related fields. Additionally, policies must address the systemic barriers that limit women’s participation, such as discriminatory legislation, cultural biases, and unequal access to resources. AI’s transformative potential extends beyond its technical capabilities; it lies in its ability to catalyse systemic change. By leveraging AI to address the gender-energy nexus, stakeholders can create a future where gender equality and sustainable energy access are not just aspirational goals but shared realities. This vision requires a shift in mindset—from viewing energy and AI as isolated domains to recognising their interdependence and their collective role in shaping a more inclusive world. As the SEforALL report emphasises, achieving this vision will require resilience, collaboration, and a commitment to leaving no one behind. By aligning technological innovation with social equity, we can unlock the full potential of AI and energy to drive progress towards a more sustainable and equitable future. To download the full report, please visit: https://www. seforall.org/publications/the-gender-energy-nex- us-in-the-ai-era-challenges-and-opportunities
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THE FUTURE OF ENERGY
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