EDCO serves 55 percent of the country and has around 1,400 employees, of which eight percent are women. USAID is proud to work with EDCO in their commitment to improve gender equality in the energy sector as part of their path to long-term success.

Jordan’s power sector has undergone significant transformations over the last 20 years. In 2002, Jordan passed a national electricity law that called for an independent regulator and privatization of state-run electric distribution companies. In addition, USAID’s ongoing Energy Sector Capacity Building project is promoting the practical and efficient use of alternative and renewable energy sources to decrease dependence on imported oil and gas.

From a gender equity perspective, transformation of the energy sector has been slower. Though most Jordanian women are educated, and represent 60 percent of all university graduates in the country, women comprise just 13 percent of active labor market participants, and even fewer in the energy sector.

USAID is partnering with EDCO through the Engendering Utilities program to assist in the development of their tailored action plan to incorporate gender equity into their business practices. EDCO’s HR specialists took part in Engendering Utilities’ customized Gender Equity Executive Leadership (GEELP) program, in partnership with Georgetown University. The program’s capstone project required participants to address methods to integrate gender equity into the HR employee lifecycle and utilize advanced change management approaches to maximize their company’s cultural evolution. Participants then presented their recommendations to the utility’s top leadership. The executive course was complemented by customized expert coaching, as well as the development of a global employee life cycle best practices framework and an equity scorecard to document lessons learned and track progress. This partnership has resulted in significant and substantial progress toward a gender-equitable future for the company.