At the IV Tashkent Law Spring International Legal Forum, a landmark session hosted by ACWA Power drew attention to the role of women in shaping the energy and infrastructure sectors in the digital age. Titled “Women’s Leadership in the Digital Energy Era: Legal, Business and Human Capital Perspectives” the session brought together an impressive panel of female leaders from global institutions, Multi-lateral Development Banks, ministries and the private sector.
Moderated by Diora Ziyaeva, Partner at Dentons New York, the discussion covered wide-ranging themes from gender-based legal reforms and vocational education to data protection and the digital rights of women. What connected the conversation was a shared belief: women’s leadership isn’t just about representation, it’s about reshaping the systems that define national progress.
Hager AlTwegieri from ACWA Power highlighted the company’s efforts in advancing human capital through initiatives like Shirin Energy College in Uzbekistan and EWA - Energy and Water Academy in Saudi Arabia. These programs, she explained, are not simply educational, they are foundational to building a new generation of female leaders in the energy sector. With 23% of the graduating class at Shirin Energy College now made up of women, it’s clear these efforts are starting to yield impact.
Olga Pak, ACWA Power’s Head of People and Culture in Uzbekistan, shared the company’s experience with implementing gender-sensitive HR policies particularly for maternity leave. Recognizing the risk of women losing momentum during care giving breaks, she described how ACWA Power offers part-time paid work opportunities and reintegration support. Beyond internal practices, the company has launched broader awareness initiatives in remote communities, partnering with NGO’s to support survivors of domestic violence and promote human rights education.
Aziza Umarova from the Agency for Strategic Reforms spoke candidly about structural exclusion. Drawing on her experience on the boards of state-owned enterprises, she pointed out the absence of women in real decision-making roles. Calling for mandated quotas in government and SOEs, she argued that the three-year maternity leave policy, while well-intentioned often sidelines women professionally. Her message was clear: women must be present when national priorities are set, especially in energy, digitalization and infrastructure development.
Kamola Alieva, a leading gender equality expert and law professor raised critical concerns about online harassment and data misuse in the digital workplace. She emphasized that existing legal frameworks often lack clarity on what constitutes as digital gender-based violence leaving women vulnerable. Legal professionals, she argued, must take the lead in crafting institutional grievance mechanisms and data protection protocols that prioritize gender sensitivity. Madina Tursunova, an intellectual property expert, added that many female-led startups in Uzbekistan lack access to affordable legal support or awareness about leveraging IP rights. She emphasized that the IP system needs policy reform and not just technical simplifications so it can serve as a tool for growth particularly in fields like renewable energy and digital innovation.
Anar Nurbayeva, Principal Gender and Inclusion Expert at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development outlined how international institutions are embedding gender goals into finance infrastructure. Through its partnerships with ACWA Power for instance, the EBRD is helping to establish occupational standards for emerging renewable energy professions in Uzbekistan and expanding access to technical education for women and the youth.
At the end of the session, all the panelists collectively called for systemic reforms to ensure meaningful inclusion of women in decision making. They emphasized that women must seize emerging opportunities not only in the energy sector but also in sectors like law, technology, analytics and foresight.
