AES Panama Receives the 2024 Gender and Diversity Innovation in Energy Award from the IDB

December 18, 2024

Panama City, November 18th, 2024.- AES Panama has been recognized with the 2024 Gender and Diversity Innovation in Energy Award, granted by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) during Energy Week in Asunción, Paraguay. This award celebrates the most outstanding initiatives in the energy sector across Latin America and the Caribbean that promote gender equity and the inclusion of diverse groups.

AES Panama was selected for its strong commitment to gender equality, women's empowerment, and the inclusion of historically marginalized communities, such as indigenous and Afro-descendant groups. In particular, the program "I Am a Female Electrician" was recognized for its transformative impact, providing women with the technical and psychosocial tools needed to enter the traditionally male-dominated electrical sector.

Similarly, this year AES Panama launched its first recruitment campaign exclusively for women, aiming to reduce the gender gap in the sector. In recent weeks, five female technicians from Chiriquí, Bocas del Toro, and Herrera have joined the renewables team and are now working in solar parks.

Through its AES Panama Foundation and its "Inclusive Growth" pillar, the company has implemented various initiatives that drive the productive inclusion of women, youth, and vulnerable communities, including:

 

  •     "Preparándome con Energía": A technical training program offering young people opportunities for education in areas such as electricity and mechanics. In the most recent group, the goal was for at least 30% of participants to be women, reinforcing the commitment to gender equality.
  •      "Mujeres Que Brillan": An initiative dedicated to promoting female leadership and social entrepreneurship in communities near operations, creating opportunities for personal and professional development.
  •     "Inclusión Productiva en Nance de Risco": A project focused on fostering entrepreneurship and providing training to indigenous communities in the Almirante region of Bocas del Toro.
  •     "Fortalecimiento de Capacidades para el Negocio de Reciclaje": An initiative that provided training and mentorship to waste collectors in Colón, especially those in socially vulnerable situations.
  •     "Reto Colón-Emprende": A program that trained and mentored 30 female entrepreneurs in the province of Colón and provided seed capital for their projects.

These initiatives highlight AES Panama’s strong commitment to social development, equal opportunities, and inclusive growth in the energy sector. The award is a testament to the positive impact we are generating, promoting the participation of women and diverse communities in building a more inclusive and sustainable sector.

The award was received on October 29 by Stephanie Lezcano, Executive Director of the AES Panama Foundation, during the 2024 Energy Week held in Asunción, Paraguay.