Shattering stereotypes: Women leading Pakistan's first all-female solar installation

Arooba Yousuf has always been a trailblazer. As the first girl in her family to pursue engineering and the first to enter the workforce, she has now made history as one of the 28 female engineers who completed a groundbreaking solar project in Pakistan.

Residing in Karachi, Yousuf, like many others, was driven by the burden of hefty electricity bills to find a solution. This motivation led her to become a solar installer, contributing to the country’s ongoing efforts to address its energy crisis.

"During peak hours, my father would ask us to turn off extra lights and the AC to save on electricity costs," she said, adding, "When I heard about a program where female engineers were being trained as solar installers, I immediately applied. My mother even said, 'You’re going to be installing solar panels on our roof after completing your training'!"

Meanwhile, Muskan Iqbal, a student of electrical engineering and now a certified solar installer, views her achievement as a powerful example for future generations.

Reflecting on the societal challenges she and her peers face, Iqbal said: "We live in a male-dominated society where something as simple as a girl riding a bike can draw amused looks. I don't believe work should be gender-specific. Today, 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 member of the team, Iman Batool, highlighted the gender disparity in engineering opportunities and said: "Males are often given more chances to work in the field, while women get stuck in office jobs. This project was the first time we, 28 female engineers, were given the opportunity to complete a major solar installation. It was an incredible learning experience for all of us!"

Tara Uzra, chairperson of LADIES Fund Energy, the implementing partner of this project, expressed her pride in the historic achievement, stating, "This is the first time in Pakistan's history that an all-women team has completed a rooftop solar installation.

"Pakistani women are not only courageous and ambitious but are also emerging as world leaders. We expect them not only to continue in this field but also to inspire others throughout their lives," Uzra noted.

This historic project is not just about installing solar panels, it's about breaking barriers and redefining the role of women in Pakistan's energy sector. Through their work, these women have shown that they are not just capable of contributing to technical fields — they are leading the way.