DEWA’s female employees share their experiences in women’s empowerment at the Global Women’s Forum – Dubai 2024

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) concluded its impactful participation in the Global Women’s Forum – Dubai 2024. As the strategic partner of the forum, organised by the Dubai Women Establishment under the theme ‘Power of Influence’, DEWA highlighted the role of Emirati women in advancing sustainability and innovation, as well as their vital contributions to DEWA’s pioneering projects and initiatives. DEWA is one of the largest government organisations to employ women in technical positions within Dubai’s energy sector. Over the two-day forum, 12 female employees participated in four panel discussions, showcasing DEWA’s commitment to involving women in decision-making and empowering them across all roles. Currently, DEWA employs 1,938 female staff across all divisions, including 797 in the engineering and technical sectors. Additionally, 1,189 women hold leadership positions at DEWA, with Emirati women comprising 84.83% of the total female workforce.

Excellence in renewable energy

In a session titled ‘The Energy Equation: Leaders Redefining Success, Work-Life Balance and Global Influence’, held on the second day of the forum, Fatima Al Jokar, Legal Adviser and Chairperson of the DEWA Women’s Committee, emphasised the critical role played by Emirati women in advancing the energy sector and their effective contributions to sustainable development, in addition to their participation in various industrial and research sectors, and the development of innovative solutions to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions. Al Jokar highlighted the contributions of female Emirati engineers in clean and renewable energy projects, which support ambitious national strategies and sustainable development goals. She also highlighted Emirati women’s participation in strategic decision-making related to energy policies both locally and globally, which enhances the UAE’s position as a major supporter of the future of sustainable energy in the region and worldwide.

Innovation in the energy sector

Dr Aaesha Alnuaimi, Director of DEWA’s Sustainability and Innovation Centre, praised the pioneering role of DEWA’s top management in empowering women and promoting innovation in the energy sector. Al Nuaimi shared her personal experience in moving from academia after obtaining a PhD in solar cell nanotechnology, to working in research and development at DEWA, and eventually the management of the Sustainability and Innovation Centre. She also discussed her vision for the future of women in sustainability and innovation, and stressed the importance of encouraging the new generation to join the renewable energy sector and develop their skills to contribute to building a sustainable future.

Motivating work environment

Reem Alsuwaidi, Deputy Senior Manager for Development in the Talent Management department, emphasised the importance of strengthening women’s representation in leadership roles across various sectors, including the energy sector. She praised DEWA’s top management for fostering a supportive work environment that empowers women to excel in leadership positions. This includes providing tailored training programmes to enhance leadership and technical skills, as well as ensuring gender equality in opportunities and rewards. Al Suwaidi also highlighted DEWA’s flexible work environment, which facilitates a healthy balance between personal and professional life, while showcasing inspiring female role models. These initiatives align with DEWA’s strategy to empower women by equipping them with the tools needed to succeed in leadership roles, driving innovation and enhancing competitiveness.

A key partner in building the future

During a session titled ‘Future-Ready: AI Innovation for Building Tomorrow's Smart Cities’, Ghinwa Krayem, Director – Experience Management in the Innovation & Future Division, emphasised DEWA’s unwavering commitment to supporting women and fostering exceptional leadership opportunities. DEWA adopts effective gender balance policies, reflecting its belief in the vital role of women as key partners in shaping the future. These initiatives enhance female employees’ confidence as leaders and create an environment that encourages innovation and creativity. This supportive approach enables women at DEWA to contribute meaningfully to developing ambitious future visions and building advanced, balanced societies.

AI in project management

Abeer AlSharaf, Director of Projects Management Delivery in the Innovation & Future Division, highlighted that utilising artificial intelligence (AI) in project management is indispensable for ensuring success. It represents a significant step towards achieving sustainability and excellence. AI offers numerous capabilities in project management, such as analysing and processing complex data, setting priorities, enhancing work distribution, and facilitating the planning, organisation, monitoring, and evaluation processes. It also enables the completion of challenging tasks with optimal efficiency. However, the adoption of AI in project management presents certain challenges, including high costs, integration with existing systems, and ensuring data security and privacy. These obstacles can be addressed through alternative strategies that ensure seamless operations and robust data protection.

Future foresight

Marwa Al Naqi, Senior Manager – Future Shaping, highlighted DEWA’s pioneering use of advanced technologies to anticipate the future. She explained that DEWA’s integration of AI plays a key role in accelerating the transition to renewable and clean energy, and in conceptualising and implementing future infrastructure projects. Additionally, leveraging AI helps to build future scenarios, predict environmental risks and enhance readiness for a resilient and sustainable future. Al Naqi also noted that DEWA’s top management believes in the capabilities of Emirati women, recognising them as vital and indispensable partners in driving innovation and achieving the UAE’s comprehensive sustainable development goals.