In a world grappling with energy poverty, climate change, and persistent gender inequalities, the Civil Society Policy Forum (CSPF) – the World Bank and IMF's premier platform for engaging civil society – hosted a groundbreaking side event on October 17, 2025. Titled "From Classroom to Career: Scaling the 'Girls in Energy' Model for Industry Entry and Retention," the 90-minute session drew a diverse audience of policymakers, industry leaders, civil society representatives, and global innovators to Washington, D.C. Organized by the Do The Dream Youth Development Initiative (DoTheDream YDI), a leading NGO from Nigeria's Global South, the event spotlighted the urgent need to bridge the gender gap in the energy sector. With women comprising just 13% of participants in energy institutes in Sub-Saharan Africa and facing barriers like limited internships, workplace biases, and inadequate early-career support, the discussion wasn't just timely – it was transformative.

The Vision Behind Girls in Energy: From Grassroots to Global Impact

Moderated by Adebusuyi Olutayo Olumadewa, founder and CEO of DoTheDream YDI, the session opened with a compelling introduction to the Girls in Energy project. Born from the Girls Are Asset Project, this initiative empowers young girls to pursue STEM careers in energy, agriculture, and tech – sectors vital for national growth. Olumadewa painted a vivid picture:

"Imagine a world where electricity is generated from a lime... where women power their communities with 10-megawatt renewable energy mini-grids... reducing energy poverty by 25%."

The project operates on dual tracks: a "linear" focus on professional career development and a "non-linear" emphasis on skill-building for innovation and sector growth.

Key strategies include conferences, competitions, career events, leadership camps, and community-driven mini-grids where women and girls lead design, implementation, and operations. Outcomes? Enhanced energy access, economic opportunities, and social impacts that advance inclusive progress. As Olumadewa noted, this fosters a journey "from skills to service, to scaling, to solutions, to sustainability," potentially reversing rural-to-urban migration by creating vibrant, self-sustaining communities.

Amy, a representative from the CSPF, provided context on the forum's role: "We received nearly 300 proposals this year, and this session was selected by a civil society committee to highlight compelling development priorities." This CSO-led approach underscores the event's grassroots credibility, aligning with the World Bank's emphasis on partnerships.

Session I: Addressing Poverty Through Women's Economic Participation

The panel featured an elite lineup: Maria Dimitriadou, World Bank Special Representative to the UN; Vint Cerf, Google's Internet Evangelist and "Father of the Internet"; Dr. Blessing Ayemhere, Executive Director and COO of Evaac Energy and Ingentia Energies Limited; and Claudia Segre, President of the Global Thinking Foundation ETS.

Dimitriadou kicked off with a resounding truth: "When women participate fully in the economy, everyone benefits." She highlighted how women's labor force involvement reduces poverty, citing World Bank research in Latin America where it explained 30% of extreme poverty reductions. In energy, blue, and green economies, she spotlighted initiatives like the Women in Energy Network Africa, offering internships and scholarships, and projects in West Africa and Mozambique training women in fisheries and mangrove restoration. "Electrification is a game-changer for women's livelihoods," she added, referencing Nigeria's mini-grid projects enabling businesses in food processing and tailoring. Multilateral collaboration, she emphasized, shares knowledge and scales solutions, as seen in the Mission 300 initiative to connect 300 million Africans by 2030.

From Nigeria, Dr. Ayemhere addressed the gender gap's real-world toll: "In Africa, with 1.5 billion people – 50% female – we have 86 million without power in Nigeria alone." He praised Girls in Energy for overcoming cultural barriers through training and platforms, noting women's superior performance in roles he's overseen. "In my 27-year career, women-led responsibilities outperform others," he said, citing female CEOs stabilizing Nigeria's energy firms. He called for deliberate inclusion: "From education to employment, we must eliminate discrimination in pay and promotion."

Segre focused on ecosystem-building: "We need a 'classroom to career' compact with shared goals, data, and accountability." Her foundation's work on fintech for sustainability includes digital credentials and "skills passports" for global recognition, plus micro-scholarships via digital wallets. Drawing from projects in Ghana and Italy, she stressed financial and digital literacy to combat economic violence: "Transform good intentions into measurable outcomes with social impact metrics."

Cerf, arriving amid traffic woes from a high-profile visit (likely referencing Ukrainian President Zelenskyy), tied energy to digital access: "The internet doesn't work without electricity." He advocated for women's inclusion in infrastructure: "Why exclude half the population from providing this essential resource?" Leveraging the internet, he envisioned global opportunities in software, design, and e-commerce, urging social norm shifts: "Women must see and seize opportunities."

Session II: Tangible Solutions for Entry, Thriving, and Leadership

Building momentum, Dimitriadou shared personal insights: "I grew up playing math and chess, not dolls – norms start at home." She advocated holistic investments: infrastructure for safe transport, affordable childcare, and anti-discrimination policies. "Internships and peer networks were key for me," she reflected, emphasizing paying mentorship forward.

Cerf explored AI's role in off-grid energy: "AI demands energy but is becoming efficient – think model distillation." For Girls in Energy, he saw tech fostering grit: "Lifelong learning is crucial; new technologies like smartphones changed everything in 18 years."

Dr. Ayemhere urged private sector CSR: "Sponsor mentorship, vocational training, and career fairs equally." Blind to gender in hiring, he stressed performance-driven advancement: "Showcase successful women to eradicate biases – collaboration can eliminate energy poverty."

Segre linked energy access to human rights: "Empowered girls are less vulnerable to violence and early marriage." Her programs break stereotypes through financial literacy, integrating ministries for protection: "Each girl becomes a light in her community."

Session III: Global Hubs and Long-Term Retention

Dimitriadou highlighted World Bank strategies: "Our 2024-2030 gender plan targets under-representation – 31.6% female STEM graduates in Sub-Saharan Africa." Multilateral forums like New York and Geneva promote evidence-based policies via impact evaluations.

Cerf championed a Global Girls in Energy Hub: "Believe the impossible isn't – solar power and internet training centers like self.org and nsrc.org can empower women." Role models, he said, prove possibilities: "Private sector must lead in breaking stereotypes."

Dr. Ayemhere advocated scalable platforms: "Equal access to information, employment, and promotion – advocate internationally to eradicate discriminatory pay."

Segre proposed blended financing: "A hub with gender equality certification, green bonds, and femtech for women's health – support companies retaining women for 12 months."

Audience Engagement: Calls for Action and Collaboration

Q&A sparked dynamic exchanges. Yoshiko Shared queried Cerf on India's JAM system for Nigeria: "Success depends on enabling infrastructure and cultural shifts – countries must invest like businesses." Sawanak Bhatta raised biology vs. social conditioning in interests: Cerf countered biases, noting women's biotech dominance; Segre urged school-level narrative changes; Dimitriadou emphasized home norms.

Kay, a nonprofit founder, sought capital access: Dimitriadou directed to World Bank country offices; Segre stressed foundation collaborations; Cerf highlighted Google's Grow with Google and nonprofits programs.

Dr. Olaore, CSPF West Africa rep, urged multi-stakeholder action: "Move from talk to walk – collaborate with governments, private sectors, and faith groups."

Closing: A Call to Harness Africa's Demographic Dividend

Quoting World Bank President Ajay Banga – "Ignoring Africa is like ignoring the future" – Olumadewa warned of Africa's booming workforce by 2050. Final words echoed urgency: Dimitriadou on evidence-sharing; Ayemhere on barrier-free platforms; Segre on measurable financing; Cerf on lifelong learning.

Let's amplify this blueprint for global empowerment – share, collaborate, and invest. Contact DoTheDream YDI at info@dothedreamydi.org to join the movement. Together, we can scale Girls in Energy worldwide. #EmpowerWomen #EnergyForAll