Shattering Stereotype, Women Leading Pakistan’s First All-Female Solar Installation

28 female engineers in Karachi have successfully completed Pakistan’s first all-women solar installation project. This historic endeavor, undertaken at Karachi’s Hosseini Orphanage, marks a significant milestone in the nation’s energy sector, where women have traditionally been underrepresented.

The project, supported by LADIES Fund Energy, not only addresses Pakistan’s pressing energy needs but also serves as a beacon of inspiration for future generations of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

Arooba Yousuf, one of the trailblazing engineers involved in the project, shared her journey from being the first girl in her family to pursue engineering to becoming a certified solar installer. “During peak hours, my father would ask us to turn off extra lights and the AC to save on electricity costs,” Yousuf recalled. “When I heard about a program training female engineers as solar installers, I immediately applied. My mother even joked that I would be installing solar panels on our roof after completing my training!”

Another team member, Muskan Iqbal, who is a student of electrical engineering, sees this achievement as a powerful example for the next generation. “We live in a male-dominated society where even simple actions, like a girl riding a bike, can attract attention. But today, we’ve proven that work should not be gender-specific,” Iqbal stated proudly.

Iman Batool, another participant, highlighted the gender disparities in the engineering field, noting that women are often relegated to office roles while men take on fieldwork. “This project was the first time 28 female engineers were given the chance to complete a major solar installation. It was an incredible learning experience for all of us!” Batool remarked.

Tara Uzra, chairperson of LADIES Fund Energy and the driving force behind the project, expressed her pride in the all-women team’s historic accomplishment. “Pakistani women are not only courageous and ambitious but are also emerging as world leaders. This is the first time in Pakistan’s history that an all-women team has completed a rooftop solar installation. We expect them not only to continue in this field but also to inspire others throughout their lives,” Uzra said.

This project is more than just a technical achievement; it represents a seismic shift in how women are perceived in Pakistan’s energy sector. By breaking barriers and defying expectations, these women have shown that they are not only capable of contributing to technical fields—they are leading the way.