By Laksmita Dwi Hersaputri, Research Associate: The Industrial Revolution was powered by coal, and for centuries, fossil fuels, became the backbone of global energy production. Extracting and handling this energy source required physically intensive labour, often in remote and hazardous environments. This led to the energy sector being traditionally male-dominated. This deep-rooted gender imbalance has continued to shape how women engage in the industry today.

Despite making up 40% of the global workforce, women remain significantly underrepresented in both traditional and clean energy sectors worldwide – accounting for only 22% in oil and gas and 32% in the clean energy sector, with even lower numbers in leadership positions.

Indonesia mirrors this pattern. Women also represent 40% of the workforce but only approximately 20%–30% of employees in major energy firms and the Energy Ministry, and a mere 17% in the legislative body overseeing the sector (i.e., Commission XII of the House of Representatives). These figures reflect the ongoing underrepresentation of women, particularly in technical and decision-making roles within the energy sector. This is likely due to the societal factors such as expectations for women to leave the workforce for motherhood after maternity leave, the lack of supportive policies and facilities that promote work-life balance, and the limited access to technical training and other professional opportunities.

Women in the energy sector also face significant barriers in climbing the leadership ladder. Executive roles have historically been occupied by men, with major state-owned enterprises such as PT Pertamina and PT PLN having had very few female president directors. Indonesia has never had a female energy minister, unlike neighbouring countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, and Philippines. The absence of female role models further reinforces the perception that energy leadership is a male domain.

According to the Global Gender Gap Report 2024 by the World Economic Forum, Indonesia ranks 100^th out of 146 countries and 6^th amongst 10 ASEAN countries, reflecting persistent gender inequality.

Iceland, ranked first globally, demonstrates the impact of strong government policies on gender equality. Key measures include the Act on Equal Treatment on the Labour Market (2018) and Act on Equal Status and Equal Rights Irrespective of Gender (2020). Strong legal frameworks such as mandatory equal pay certification for companies, along with a dedicated government body – the Directorate of Equality within Iceland’s Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour – have significantly contributed to Iceland’s high women workforce participation, robust gender statistics, a reduced gender wage gap, and 36% of female representation in decision-making roles.

In ASEAN, the Philippines ranks highest in women’s workplace equality index and second in data transparency, including gender statistics. Women hold 20%–30% of executive roles in major energy firms and 41% of senior and middle management positions across sectors. This success is largely due to comprehensive gender-focused policies, including Gender Appropriations Act of (1995), which mandates at least 5% of national budget to be allocated to promote gender equality, and the Magna Carta for Women (2010), a human rights law to combat gender discrimination and promote gender data collection. Additionally, initiatives such as the Gender Equality and Power Empowerment Plan (2019–2025) and Gender Toolkit for the Energy Sector further promote women’s participation in energy, STEM fields, and the broader workforce.

In contrast, Indonesia has yet to implement significant gender equality regulations and enforcement mechanisms. The National Long-Term Development Plan only outlines broad inclusivity and women empowerment objectives, without concrete strategies for implementation. Furthermore, the lack of gender-related data hampers progress. To address this, Indonesia should introduce relevant regulatory frameworks and later establish a dedicated gender equality directorate in the energy sector to ensure structured policies, better data collection, and stronger enforcement mechanisms.

The intersection of gender and energy sector goes beyond workforce representation – it is a deep-rooted systemic problem that limits women’s career growth and their ability to influence decision-making. Given their widespread role as primary household energy managers, women possess unique and valuable insights into how energy use impacts the daily life and communities. Their perspectives are crucial for shaping effective energy transition policies, especially in related areas such as education and health, where energy access directly affects societal well-being. Moreover, women can also play a key role as responsible energy consumers within households, businesses, and policymaking. A study by International Finance Corporation highlights that businesses with greater gender diversity in leadership see improvements in performance, innovations, and workplace safety. Ensuring women’s active participation in the energy transition is therefore not just a matter of fairness but also a strategic advantage that can lead to more effective policies, stronger businesses, and broader societal benefits.

The slogan ‘Leave No One Behind’ represents the United Nations’ commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 agenda. However, even in 2025, women remain underrepresented across sectors, not only in energy. Stronger efforts are needed to promote gender equality and inclusion in all fields.

This piece is also dedicated to International Women’s Day 2025, celebrating the resilience and determination of women across the world. Now is the time for Indonesia to take decisive action to ensure a more inclusive and equitable future in the energy sector and beyond.

This opinion piece was written by Laksmita Dwi Hersaputri, Research Associate, ERIA, and has been published in OG Indonesia. Click here to subscribe to the monthly newsletter.

Disclaimer: The views expressed are purely those of the authors and may not in any circumstances be regarded as stating an official position of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia.