Gender Inequality: A Case Study of the Malaysian Renewable Energy Industry

Despite the rapid growth of the renewable energy sector, gender inequality continues to hinder women's full participation and leadership in this male-dominated industry. This study explores gender dynamics by comparing female and male leadership and uncovering gender-based disparities in the Malaysian solar energy industry. A qualitative approach was adopted through in-depth interviews with 15 female employees working under female leadership in the sector. Findings reveal that male leaders are generally perceived as more tolerant, approachable, and open to feedback, while female leaders are often viewed as stricter and more emotionally driven, possibly due to differing communication styles and leadership traits. Notwithstanding, reports of equal access to promotions and performance-based rewards, some participants indicated that female staffs face career limitations—particularly in technical roles—due to traditional gender expectations, pregnancy, or a lack of field opportunities. Male engineers are more frequently assigned to site visits involving physically demanding tasks, while female engineers tend to handle administrative duties, indicating role-based task differentiation rather than workload imbalance. Although most respondents felt their workplace treated both genders fairly in promotions and rewards, a few expressed dissatisfaction with female representation in leadership and technical advancement. These findings highlight the need for inclusive leadership training, targeted support for women in technical roles, and policies that dismantle workplace stereotypes. This study contributes to the growing discourse on gender inequality by contextualizing it within a sustainability-driven industry in Malaysia, offering insights for promoting gender equity in renewable energy as part of broader sustainable development goals.