home page > key issues > human resources > women empowerment

Key Issues - Human Resource Development

In support of the Liquid Fuels Charter objectives to further women empowerment in the industry, SAPIA and the Businesswomen’s Association joined forces once again to celebrate women in the petroleum industry at events in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

In an effort to create a supportive culture for transformation, specifically gender transformation, the events provided a platform for women to share success stories, discuss challenges, explore the professional and economic development of women in the industry and broaden the delegates’ understanding of the industry.

Industry and guest speakers delivered presentations that focused on gender differences in the brain and related implications for the workplace environment, entrepreneurship, creating a supportive culture for women, and industry-specific topics such as the price of oil and environmental issues. In addition to presentations from each company and robust panel discussions, member companies set up exhibits where participants could network with company representatives.

SAPIA has also celebrated women in the industry by focusing their second issue of the bi-annual industry human resource development journal, The Petroleum Professional, on women in the petroleum industry. On the skills development front, 66 participants of which 77.3% are women employees enrolled in the Leadership in Oil and Energy Certificate programme in 2009. SAPIA remains committed to finding ways to empower women in the industry.