Latin America and the Caribbean is one of the most dynamic regions in the global energy transition. Projections indicate that the shift toward low-carbon economies could generate up to 15 million net new jobs in the region by 2030, mainly driven by sectors such as renewable energy, sustainable manufacturing, energy infrastructure, and the digitalization of electricity systems.
However, this growth contrasts with a persistent gender gap in participation in the sector. Although women represent nearly 48% of the global workforce, their representation in the energy sector in the region is only 24%, revealing a significant underrepresentation in an industry that is strategic for regional progress.
Inequality is also reflected in leadership spaces. In renewable generation companies across the region, only 24% of board positions and 22% of managerial roles are held by women, demonstrating that female leadership still faces structural barriers in the energy sector.
Gender disparities begin as early as the educational stages related to science and technology. In many Latin American and Caribbean countries, less than 35% of graduates in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) are women, which limits their participation in strategic sectors linked to energy innovation.
Despite this, some countries have shown progress toward greater balance: Uruguay reports 54% female STEM graduates; Panama 48%; and Mexico 47%. These figures demonstrate that parity is achievable when appropriate public policies are implemented alongside supportive educational ecosystems.
RedLACME: fostering women’s leadership in energy
In response to this reality, the Latin American and Caribbean Energy Organization (OLACDE) has been developing a regional agenda focused on gender and energy, with the main objective of increasing women’s participation in this strategic field, strengthening their technical skills, and expanding their presence in decision-making spaces.
One of the key instruments is the Latin American and Caribbean Women in Energy Network (RedLACME), a regional platform dedicated to promoting continuous training, technical cooperation, and women’s leadership throughout the energy transition. Through this network, OLACDE fosters exchanges among energy professionals and develops capacity-building initiatives in strategic areas such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and digitalization. It also promotes the generation of gender-disaggregated data and information to support effective public policy design.
For OLACDE, the energy transition is not only about technological or productive change; it also represents an opportunity to build more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable energy systems. The organization emphasizes that the future of energy in Latin America and the Caribbean will largely depend on the ability to fully integrate women’s talent into emerging energy industries—driving innovation, competitiveness, and sustainable development across the region.
