28 Nov Supporting women – from Kazakhstan to the UK
On 28th November, POWERful Women was delighted to host the KAZENERGY Women’s Energy Club during their visit to the UK.
The event, which took place at the Energy Institute, was an opportunity for us to share our experiences of working to advance gender diversity in our respective countries. We found much in common! There are similar (low) levels of female representation on the boards of the top energy companies in Kazakhstan and the UK, and recognition that change is necessary – for our women and for the competitiveness of the business.
The 15 visiting members of the WEC Executive Committee heard from our Ambassador, Peter Duff of BP, who gave an excellent presentation on POWERful Women’s history, goals and ways of operating, and also shared his own insights from working on diversity and inclusion in international oil and gas.
We swapped statistics, concerns, ideas and inspiring examples of good practice, and everyone came away energised and keen to stay in touch. We’ll maintain the relationship and continue to support and learn from each other.
Look out for Kazakhstan WEC’s upcoming study with the EBRD, due to be published in early 2020. The report will give a fascinating insight into the situation for women in the Kazakhstan energy industry.
Photo: The Kazenergy Women’s Energy Club, with their Chair Aizada Akkaysiyeva (centre), flanked by Maria Blakley of POWERful Women and Peter Duff of BP.
The Executive Committee of Kazakhstan’s WEC is made up of representatives of the leading oil and gas companies operating in the country, including Shell Kazakhstan, CNPC, Tengizchevroil, KazMunayGas, KPO B.V, Embamunaigas and Kazmortransflot, as well as the Kazakhstan Electricity Grid Operating Company, the KAZENERGY Association, Halyk Bank and the Kazakh-British Technical University.