Let’s bring women to the forefront of the energy transition

A striking gender gap in the energy workforce

Research shows that companies with more diverse leadership tend to outperform their markets, with higher revenues from innovation. [1] Yet the energy sector still falls short of this potential. According to the IEA, women account for only around 20% of the energy workforce and 18% of leadership roles, compared to an economy-wide average of 40% and 25%. [2] And in many technical jobs essential to the energy transition, such as electricians and line workers, female representation remains below 5%. 

This gap opens up well before women embark on their careers. Interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) declines earlier for girls than for boys, shaped by persistent stereotypes about “masculine” and “feminine” fields. [3]

So what can we do? 

Positive action

From our perspective at Rexel, a worldwide distributor of electrical products, solutions and services, we have an important role to play in accelerating the energy transition and contributing to a fairer society—what we call “electrifying solutions that make a sustainable future possible.”

In our position at the heart of our supply chain, we must lead the way and are committed to create a work environment in which everyone can thrive at any level of the company. In 2025, women represented more than 30% of all leadership positions at Rexel. We intend to build on this momentum. 

Attracting more women to our industry

But to recruit more women, we must first encourage them to apply. At Rexel, our job openings—for consultants, salespeople, support teams and managers—are accessible to anyone at any stage of life. One common belief might be that our business is focused on technique, when in reality advice, service and customer relationships are central to Rexel. By reframing the narrative and highlighting the opportunities, we can help more women move past limiting assumptions to embark on rewarding careers. We start to shift these perceptions through partnerships with associations or schools as well as using mentoring, career workshops and on-site discovery sessions, to help girls picture themselves in roles they may not have otherwise considered. 

To enlarge our views, we also sponsored the Women’s Forum for the Economy & Society, an international platform aiming to amplify the opportunities for women and their impact in all spheres of society. As part of this sponsorship, we recently participated in the Forum’s Women Entrepreneurs 4 Good program, developed with HEC Paris business school to support female entrepreneurs through coaching and other support. At Rexel, we complement this approach for our women with a strong mentoring and our support network, WiRE (Women in Rexel), which aims to boost collaboration, career opportunities and professional growth for women as part of our efforts to help every employee thrive.

Embracing differences

We can only help our customers decarbonize their businesses and electrify at scale if our teams reflect the world we serve, embracing perspectives from all walks of life. Let’s acknowledge the efforts being made by women and men everywhere to build a fairer and more sustainable society.

And let’s celebrate every win, big or small, that enables women and girls to rise. To go the distance with our net-zero trajectories, we must allow everyone to flex their muscles and reveal their strengths. Our shared future depends on it.

[1] For example, “Diversity matters even more: the case for holistic impact,” McKinsey & Company, December 5, 2023, and “BCG innovation and diversity survey,” Boston Consulting Group, 2017.

[2] “Energy and Gender: a critical issue in energy employment, access and transitions,” IEA.com, accessed March 3, 2026.

[3] “Women, Gender Equality and the Energy Transition in the EU,” Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs, Directorate General for Internal Policies of the Union, May 2019.