THE IMPORTANCE OF GENDER-SPECIFIC CLASSES IN BRINGING MORE WOMEN INTO THE PHOTOVOLTAIC FIELD

摘要

Women have long been excluded from science and technology fields. The lack of women in the sciences is true in the solar photovoltaic field as well. Women-only workshops play an important role in bringing more women into photovoltaics. The benefits of women-only workshops include more willingness to ask questions and participate, feeling comfortable using power tools, meeting other women interested in non-traditional fields, and being taught by women who offer positive role models. During the past three years Solar Energy International (SEI) has taught four photovoltaic workshops specifically for women. These workshops have proven that women-only courses are an important part of any education effort to help even out the gender imbalances in technical fields.