This week, Women in Solar Europe (WiSEu) gives voice to renewable energy expert Ercilia Estrada Garzona. She says it is crucial to recognize the widespread negative assumptions about mothers regarding their ambition and commitment to their careers. “To combat these biases, organizations must take decisive action. This can be achieved by normalizing parental leave for all parents, ensuring transparency in career development and promotion prospects after leave, and developing robust support systems to help employees return to work smoothly,” she says.
From my perspective, the solar industry is more open to women than traditional industries, and we have plenty of opportunities. During my professional career, I have met many talented women who are not only part of the industry, but also contribute to it through leadership roles.
Nevertheless, it is crucial to underline that the sector must prioritize work-life balance for all its members. When it comes to women, there is still a lot of work to be done to provide the necessary support during crucial phases of our lives. For example, companies should adopt consistent strategies and opportunities that support mothers.
On the other hand, finding work-life balance can be a challenge. From my personal experience, I appreciate the opportunity to access remote and hybrid work options and flexible working hours during the process of adapting to this new phase of life.
I have also personally seen many women struggle to return to the workplace after maternity leave, often because companies do not have effective support systems in place. This oversight hinders their professional growth, limits their opportunities, and deprives organizations of talented individuals who can significantly contribute to success.
It is critical to recognize the widespread negative assumptions about mothers regarding their ambition and commitment to their careers. Fathers, on the other hand, often struggle with insufficient parental leave, a clear reflection of paternity biases that undermine their role in early parenting. To combat these biases, organizations must take decisive action. This can be achieved by normalizing parental leave for all parents, ensuring transparency in career development and promotion prospects after leave, and developing robust support systems to help employees return to work smoothly. By doing this, companies can promote a more equitable workplace in which the contributions of both mothers and fathers are valued.
The motherhood penalty, based on a common definition, is related to a well-known phenomenon involving the decline in earnings that women experience after becoming mothers. Protecting the health and well-being of all employees, regardless of maternal/paternal status, should always be among companies’ top priorities.
In the specific case of new parents, knowing that their workplace supports them in this new phase of life is crucial. Improving both parents’ ability to spend time with their newborn children and using data and metrics to track employee performance rather than assumptions are some of the actions that can shape this support.
Improving work-life balance is one of the key benefits of addressing prejudices about motherhood and fatherhood. A good work-life balance is essential to reduce stress and prevent burnout in our professional and personal lives. The solar energy sector and the significant increase in employment must go hand in hand with improving working conditions for all its members.
Ercilia Estrada is a project manager engineer with more than twelve years of experience in the solar energy industry. Ercilia started her career in the photovoltaic market in 2012. During these years, she focused on renewable energy projects in Italy, mainly providing technical consultancy services. She holds degrees in electrical engineering from the Universidad de Costa Rica and the Università degli Studi dell ‘Aquila, as well as an Executive Masters in Project Management from 24 Ore Business School.
Interested in participating Ercilia Estrada and other female leaders and industry experts at Women in Solar Europe? More information: www.wiseu.network
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