At the margins of the 47th Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG 47) meeting under the Montreal Protocol, the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) took part in a dynamic side event organized by GIZ Proklima, dedicated to advancing gender equality in the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump (RACHP) sector.
With more than 12 million people currently employed in the global RACHP workforce, and demand steadily increasing, the sector faces a growing shortage of skilled professionals. Yet, as highlighted by IIR data, women represent only 6% of members in national RACHP organizations — a stark indicator of the need for action.
A Global Dialogue on Challenges and Opportunities
The session opened with remarks from Sebastian Schnatz of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, followed by a presentation from Souhir Al Hammami, Director of Scientific and Technical Information at the IIR. Her intervention, supported by data from the Women in Cooling database, explored the structural and cultural barriers that continue to limit women’s participation in the sector.
A short video titled “Women’s Voices” brought a personal and powerful perspective to the conversation, sharing real-world testimonies from women working in the field.
Participants then engaged in group discussions on the four main stages of a woman’s career in the cooling sector:
- Career Choice
- Education and Training
- Career Entry
- Daily Work and Career Progression
- Shared Challenges, Global Perspectives
Participants from Grenada, Bhutan, China, the Philippines, Nigeria, Germany, and Mauritius shared regional insights, revealing common challenges across contexts:
- Cultural and societal norms discouraging girls and women from entering technical careers
- Lack of visibility of RACHP as an attractive career path
- Limited access to education and training, especially in rural areas
- Few role models or mentors available to guide and support women
- Workplaces not adapted or inclusive of women’s needs
In China, the number of women entering the field is rising, potentially linked to STEM-focused education policies. In Bhutan, while access to education is improving, cultural and familial expectations still create obstacles for women.
Moving Forward: Key Solutions
The event highlighted several ways forward:
- Awareness campaigns to challenge gender stereotypes and promote the sector
- Inclusive training programs that actively support female participation
- Policy support to create enabling environments through collaboration with governments and ministries
- Curriculum development to include refrigeration in technical education pathways
The session concluded with practical recommendations from the Green Cooling Initiative (GCI) and closing remarks from Guntram Glasbrenner of GIZ Proklima.
IIR and INWIC: Working Together for Change
As part of its commitment to diversity and inclusion, the IIR developed an interactive “Women in Cooling” database, showcasing the inspiring career paths of more than 1,300 women in the RACHP sector worldwide. This initiative highlights the breadth of female talent and helps build connections between professionals globally.
➡️ Explore the database: https://iifiir.org/en/women-in-cooling-database
In partnership with INWIC, the IIR has also released a brochure that promotes women’s careers in cooling and refrigeration. It is a valuable communication tool for encouraging girls and women to pursue opportunities in this growing field.
➡️ Read the brochure: https://iifiir.org/en/fridoc/women-in-cooling-a-worldwide-survey-146020
Additionally, through its “Careers in Refrigeration – CaRe” working group, the IIR is actively promoting refrigeration careers among young people, with a special focus on women, helping to shape a more inclusive and sustainable future for the sector.