Women call for gender diversity in oil sector during Int’l Energy Conference

Remaining one of the least gender-diverse sectors across the world, female professionals are rallying for more attention to be placed on creating avenues for inclusion in the oil and gas sector.
A Women in Energy Panel at the International Energy Conference and Expo 2023 sought to raise awareness of the importance of diversity and gender equity in the oil industry.
Board Director at Touchstone Exploration, Dr. Priya Maraj, shared that women are the key drivers of innovative solutions – crucial in building a competitive energy sector. She noted that a change is needed from the traditionally male-dominated environment, where just about a quarter of employees are female.
“Across the world, women in the energy sector make up less than 30 percent. While that has been changing and we’re seeing more young women entering the sector, and as the industry itself makes a concerted effort to increase gender diversity, we believe a lot more needs to be done. Unfortunately, the energy sector still remains one of the least gender-diverse sectors, and closing the gender gap will be vital,” Dr. Maraj voiced.
Among the talks were how respective companies have managed to promote females to leadership positions, and if these have been successful.
Account Manager at Halliburton, Grace Hutson, explained, “Halliburton is actively working towards this goal, outside of diversity in their hiring practices, training and opportunities for women, as well as providing flexible work arrangements…I have benefitted from the ERG within Haliburton, where women of similar backgrounds can discuss issues within their experiences. But, more importantly, you can come up with ideas. I have seen that a lot of the initiatives that the women have come up with got to management, and it was implemented.”
The group also focused on factors affecting women from climbing the leadership ladder, where the Director of the Center for Local Business Development, Dr. Natasha Gaskin-Peters, pointed to the benefits of investing in women.
“You find here in Guyana (that) we have a Private Sector that is very much dominated by men. When a woman steps into a role, how does she get her voice over? The empirical evidence is there: when we invest in our women, we invest in our children; the spinoff benefits are greater. On several occasions, I walk into the room and it is male-dominated. So, how do we have that transition?” Gaskin-Peters questioned.
In highlighting diversity, men also play a role in fashioning an enabling environment, according to Crude Lifting Analyst at ExxonMobil, Chricell Whitney.
She expressed, “I have been fortunate to encounter men who are fortunate to step up to the challenge to recognize that there is male dominance. In my observation, what I have found is the ways in which men can be allies is to recognize their privilege, that it is male-dominated, and they also have to be willing to bring the females along.”
Human Resources Team Lead at Saipem Guyana, Shanette Rayside, added, “I think if men understand the role they play in providing support, and how impactful that can be, that would really help a lot of women. Men have the power to push us out of our comfort zone to excel.”