Women Engineers Make History with first all-female solar installation in Pakistan, in the era in renewable energy.
Arooba Yousuf, the first in her family to pursue engineering and enter the workforce, has made history as one of 28 female engineers who successfully completed a groundbreaking solar project in Pakistan. Arooba Yousuf, who resides in Karachi, was inspired by high electricity bills to seek a solution. This led her to become a solar installer, contributing to Pakistan’s efforts to tackle its energy crisis.
“During peak hours, my father would ask us to turn off extra lights and the AC to save on electricity costs,” Yousuf shared. “When I heard about a program training female engineers as solar installers, I immediately applied. My mother even joked, ‘You’ll be installing solar panels on our roof after your training!'”
Muskan Iqbal, an electrical engineering student and certified solar installer, sees her accomplishment as a significant example for future generations. Reflecting on societal challenges, she said, “In a male-dominated society, even a girl riding a bike can attract attention. I don’t believe work should be gender-specific. We’ve proven ourselves by becoming the world’s first all-women team to install a 24-kilowatt solar system on the roof of Karachi’s Hosseini Orphanage.”
Another team member, Iman Batool, emphasized the gender disparity in engineering opportunities. “Men often get more fieldwork opportunities, while women are confined to office roles. This project was our first chance to complete a major solar installation, and it was an incredible learning experience for all of us.”
Tara Uzra, chairperson of LADIES Fund Energy, the project’s implementing partner, expressed pride in this historic achievement. “This is the first time in Pakistan’s history that an all-women team has completed a rooftop solar installation,” Tara Uzra stated. “Pakistani women are not only courageous and ambitious but are also emerging as world leaders. We expect them to continue in this field and inspire others throughout their lives.”
This historic project is more than just installing solar panels; it’s about breaking barriers and redefining women’s roles in Pakistan’s energy sector. Through their work, these women have proven they are not just capable of contributing to technical fields—they are leading the way.
