Hitachi Energy marks the International Women’s Day

Read the article in Norwegian

Three of our female employees share their reflections on March 8. They agree that the Women's Day is still important and that the fight for equality is a continuous process.

It is important for Hitachi Energy to mark Women's Day both globally and nationally. In an industry that is traditionally dominated by men, granting women additional opportunities becomes especially significant.

“Ensuring equal opportunities for women and men, particularly in the workplace, is a core value that we actively pursue every single day. We have global processes to ensure that we are always aware of equality and diversity in all parts of our businesses”, says Human Resources Manager at Hitachi Energy in Norway, Trine Sneisen Modin. “Hitachi Energy in Norway has an increasing number of female employees, now around 20 percent. Our ambition goes beyond that; we aim to achieve a 27 percent representation of women within the next few years.”, she adds.

Johanne Aunemo
HVDC Service Manager, Hitachi Energy in Norway

Why is The International Women's Day still important?
Women's Day is important because it focuses on the struggle brave women all over the world have fought for - equality and fundamental rights, which provides us with the opportunities we have today. The International Women's Day serves as a platform to promote positive changes in society and is at the same time a reminder of the remaining challenges. Although significant progress has been made, it is important to continue the work to achieve complete equality between the sexes.

In some countries, there is a positive increase in women in management positions compared to previous years, but there is still an unequal distribution in terms of representation in top management and decision-making.

This challenge requires a sustained effort and awareness to ensure that equality becomes a reality at all levels. For me, who is relatively new to working life, it is fantastic to be offered the opportunity to experience the leadership role. I feel trusted and respected in the workplace, and my voice is being heard. Hitachi Energy has come a long way when it comes to involving people regardless of background, age, gender and education.

What does March 8 mean to you?
For me, The International Women's Day is a reminder of how lucky I am to live in a country that has come so far in terms of equality, even if we are not quite there yet. As a female professional in this country, I’ve been given a solid education and entrusted with significant responsibilities.

In many parts of the world, women have limited access to education, health care and other basic rights. We have also recently seen examples of women losing their rights in some countries. The International Women's Day is an opportunity to highlight and support women's rights both locally and globally.

Charlene Gris
Engineering Manager, Grid Integration

Why is The International Women's Day still important?
I am lucky to have been born and raised in France, where equality has come a long way. The status is probably quite good in Norway and in Hitachi Energy in Norway as well. Nevertheless, there is still much that needs to be done globally. It is therefore important to use at least one day a year to make everyone aware of various issues, real injustices and lack of rights for women.

It is also worrying to see that some rights that were introduced a little while ago, so easily can be removed again, such as abortion laws in several countries. We cannot take anything for granted. Consider the reality where certain women are denied the right to pursue education, drive, or even make decisions about their own lives.

There are still quite a few battles to be won, and it is not something only women have to discuss among themselves, but something that everyone has to get involved in. This is not about being a feminist!

What does March 8 mean to you?
I can’t remember being very involved in commemorating International Women’s Day throughout my life. Still, the fact that the day exists and that it is being talked about, has probably been the starting point of conversations and topics that I should or perhaps should not have brought up on various occasions.

The day has sometimes given me the opportunity to support some issues here and there, supporting an organization, by going to a social gathering or sports event that lifts women in particular into the spotlight. It's nice that many people celebrate the day actively, but you don't have to stand in front of the Parliament for The International Women's Day to have a function.

The day gives an updated focus on various themes and gives us something more to reflect on in conversations around the lunch table or elsewhere.

Trine Sneisen Modin
Human Resources Manager, Hitachi Energy in Norway

Why is The International Women's Day still important?
There is still no country in the world that has complete gender equality. We have come a long way here in Norway, but we still have a way to go. I’m genuinely happy to be employed by Hitachi Energy, a company that prioritizes equality. Here, we work every single day to raise awareness, and to ensure that we have a culture that includes and embraces diversity.

Women's Day is a reminder that we must continue our work to increase equality, both in the workplace and elsewhere in society. We need to engage in an ongoing discussion about how to initially achieve and subsequently sustain this.

What does March 8 mean to you?
For me, The International Women's Day means an opportunity to put a spotlight on topics that we still need to focus on. The list is long, but with regard to working life in Norway, one significant aspect is the unequal pay and limited personal development prospects for women.

The International Women's Day is also an opportunity to honor the women who have paved the way for us, and made us come as far as we have in Norway today. I am very grateful for that. I believe that equality work requires daily commitment, and collectively, we contribute to positive change.