The College Women’s Affairs Unit organized a scientific workshop entitled “The Role of Women in Energy Conservation for More Sustainable Communities”, as part of the College’s ongoing efforts to promote environmental awareness and strengthen the principles of sustainable development within the academic community and society.
The workshop was delivered by Prof. Dr. Mai Faisal Ahmed, Assist. Prof. Heba Kareem Abdullah, and Assist. Lecturer Zeina Abbas Jumaa, from the Department of Biology. The workshop addressed the important role women can play in promoting energy conservation at the household, workplace, and community levels through everyday practices that help reduce energy waste, preserve natural resources, and minimize adverse environmental impacts.
The workshop introduced the concept of energy and its various sources, including renewable and non-renewable energy resources, and discussed the concept of energy conservation as the efficient and responsible use of energy while maintaining acceptable levels of comfort and quality of performance. It also highlighted the importance of energy efficiency in reducing consumption and costs, mitigating pollution, conserving natural resources, and supporting sustainable development.
The workshop further explored practical approaches through which women can contribute to energy conservation, particularly through the efficient use of lighting, cooling and heating systems, and electrical appliances at home and in the workplace. The lecturers emphasized the significant role of women in promoting environmental awareness, educating family members and children, and encouraging communities to adopt environmentally responsible and energy-efficient practices.
The workshop also emphasized that women’s contribution to energy and sustainability should extend beyond consumption practices to include participation in environmental planning and decision-making, support for renewable-energy initiatives and projects, innovation, and community engagement. Such participation strengthens the role of women as active partners in advancing sustainable development.
The workshop concluded by emphasizing that energy conservation represents an important component of environmental, economic, and social sustainability. It also called for greater adoption of renewable energy sources, support for women-led initiatives and educational and awareness programs related to energy and the environment, and stronger partnerships among universities, institutions, and communities to promote a culture of efficient and responsible energy use.
The workshop contributes to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:
SDG 5 – Gender Equality: by promoting women’s participation and empowerment in environmental issues, energy management, and decision-making.
SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy: by raising awareness of energy efficiency and encouraging the adoption of renewable energy sources.
SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production: by promoting responsible consumption patterns and reducing energy and resource waste.
SDG 13 – Climate Action: by raising awareness of practices that can reduce energy consumption and its associated environmental impacts.
SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals: by emphasizing collaboration among academic institutions, organizations, and communities in promoting sustainability.
