Marking International Women's Day with a spotlight on women in energy

On 9 March 2026, in honour of International Women's Day, LuxDev, through the Energy transition and climate mitigation in Kosovo project, organised a session featuring personal stories from Women in Energy. The event was opened by Arta HOXHA, Deputy Project Manager, who emphasised that the purpose of this organisation was to recognise both the challenges and the important contributions that women make to the energy sector. Although the profession remains dominated by men, with women representing only 7% of the workforce, their contributions and personal experiences are essential for understanding the changes necessary to build a more inclusive and equitable society. Six women took to the stage to share their personal stories.

Djellza PREBREZA SHALA, who is currently pursuing a master's degree in renewable energy and works as a Project Manager at HOTAS Solar, shared with the audience that the first profession she considered was teaching mathematics, as she believed it would make it easier to achieve a better work-life balance — a burden that often falls on women and is not typically expected of men. She said that it was her father who encouraged her to become an engineer and, years later, she has come to realise that she is in the right profession.

Fjolla QORRI, who currently works for the Balkan Green Foundation, confessed that very often in meetings with men there are moments when they feel free to take up space, talk over others and mansplain to women. However, she emphasised that women's greatest strength lies in understanding the connection between energy and humanity, because energy policies are designed to work for people and not merely to ensure that systems function.

Rudina HEROI PUKA, who has more than 18 years of professional experience, is currently Vice-President of KESCO. Rudina spoke about the challenges that women, particularly mothers, face in advancing their careers. Sharing with the audience her experience of returning to work only four weeks after giving birth, she reflected on how women often have to choose between career and family — a decision that is rarely expected of men.

Besiana QORRAJ BERISHA, Director of the Unit for the Implementation of Renewable Energy Projects at the Ministry of Economy, spoke about how women are often forced to make themselves smaller so as not to encroach on men's space. This was also one of her own challenges, as she faced many prejudices when applying for career advancement. However, she remained determined to move forward, not only for her own career but also to set an example for her daughters, hoping that the next generation of women would face fewer barriers.

Gentiana ALIJA SHALA is an electrical engineer and the founder of Alfa Solar Energy, the first company in Kosovo's renewable energy sector to be founded by a woman. Gentiana shared how her company grew from delivering small projects to securing its first major contract, which helped establish Alfa Solar as a serious and recognised player in the industry. She also described the journey from fear to courage that is essential for any entrepreneur.

The panel was closed by Venera DEMUKAJ, Professor of Political Economy at the American University in Kosovo. Venera shared how research based on traditional econometric models and commonly used determinants could not fully explain the underrepresentation of women in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics workforce. This was particularly striking given that female students often perform better than their male peers during their studies. She noted that only when social circumstances and the historical expectations placed on girls regarding care and family were taken into account, did the gap began to make sense.

By sharing their personal and professional journeys, the speakers highlighted both the barriers that persist and the progress that is possible when women are supported to lead and innovate. Their stories serve as an inspiration to new generations of women to enter the energy sector and contribute to building a more inclusive and sustainable future.

The Energy transition and climate mitigation in Kosovo project is funded by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and implemented by LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency. It is a comprehensive effort to address Kosovo’s energy challenges. Its primary goal is to facilitate the adoption of energy efficiency practices and renewable energy sources, thereby supporting Kosovo’s transition to clean energy. By optimising energy consumption and reducing carbon emissions, the project addresses critical challenges such as inefficient energy use and the low share of renewables in electricity generation. This transition is essential for both environmental and economic reasons, setting the stage for a more sustainable and resilient energy sector.