Launch of the Women in Green Hydrogen (WiGH) South Asia Chapter at The smarter E India, Gandhinagar
On 12 February 2025, the Women in Green Hydrogen (WiGH) South Asia Chapter was officially launched, marking a significant step towards fostering inclusivity and diversity in the region’s hydrogen sector.
Since its inception, WiGH has grown into a global platform, connecting over 1,100 women professionals across more than 75 countries. Through mentorship programs, networking events, and policy advocacy, the network has been instrumental in amplifying women’s voices in green hydrogen.
The main objectives of the WiGH South Asia Chapter are to:
- Identify and monitor the challenges faced by women working in the green hydrogen ecosystem and develop an action plan to make it more attractive to women
- Promote the empowerment of women and groups by connecting them to international networks, participating in (international) mentoring or internship programmes, and up-scaling successful approaches.
Key activities of the WiGH South Asia Chapter will be
- Training and capacity building
- Networking events
- Awareness campaigns in collaboration with government agencies and local organisations
With India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, Nepal’s hydropower potential, and emerging clean hydrogen initiatives in neighboring countries, South Asia is poised to become a key player in the global hydrogen economy. However, for this transition to be truly sustainable, it needs to be inclusive—and women’s expertise in research, policymaking, finance, and project execution is vital to the industry’s success.
The launch event featured a panel discussion on “Navigating Challenges and Unlocking Opportunities for Gender Inclusion in India”, bringing together industry leaders and changemakers to discuss pathways for greater diversity and leadership in the sector.
Panelists:
• Dr. Rashi Gupta (Batterywali Dr. Rashi Gupta) – Vision Mechatronics
• Arpit Sharma – CEO, Skill Council for Green Jobs
• Phoolvi Agarwal – HyOn Energy
• Dr. Chitra Rajagopal – IIT
Moderator: Pooja Bose – Wert International
The WiGH South Asia Chapter launch was supported by the Indo-German Energy Forum (IGEF-SO), the International Hydrogen Ramp-Up Program (H2Uppp), the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, The smarter E India, and HyOn Energy.
Together, stakeholders are taking a step forward in building a more diverse, connected, and inclusive green hydrogen community in South Asia.
