When we give abundantly and joyfully, we all gain.

As defined by International Women’s Day 2026, “Give to Gain” means:

“Give to Gain emphasizes the power of reciprocity and support. When people, organizations, and communities give generously, opportunities and support for women increase. Giving is not a subtraction, it’s intentional multiplication. When women thrive, we all rise. Whether through donations, knowledge, resources, infrastructure, visibility, advocacy, education, training, mentoring, or time, contributing to women’s advancement helps create a more supportive and interconnected world.”

This resonates with me, both as a woman and Chief Sustainability Officer at Schneider Electric. In my recent trip to India, I met women from Schneider Electric, our partner organizations, the field, and the programs we support. Each encounter gave me pause to reflect on what it means to be a woman with access, and one without. It put into perspective just how far we’ve come and how long the road ahead of us is.

Consider this:

• 9 out of 10 people worldwide hold biases against women.
• Close to 50% of men believe they have more right to a job than women.
• Women account for only 35% of all science, technology, engineering and math graduates.
• At the current pace, it will take 136 years to close the gender gap.

Four statements that illustrate exactly where we are today, informing not only my point of view, but the change I wish to see. With these thoughts, I would like to share what I discovered in India.

1. When a young woman completes a safe electrical connection in a neighbor’s home, or restores a school’s water system, she’s changing far more than a circuit. She’s redefining what the next girl believes is possible.

Snegha was one of many young women I met at the Shishu Mandir Training Centre in Bangalore, whose education model integrates a free school with a Community College, offering 4-to-6-month vocational programs. These are designed specifically for young people who leave school or college early. In an industry that women were traditionally not a part of, Snegha had trained to become an electrician. Once hesitant and unsure, she now brimmed with confidence and capability.

Snegha’s transformation reflects a national shift: girls’ aspirations continue to rise, and women’s participation in the workforce is slowly growing. India faces a challenge of meeting an expected 35% increase in energy demand by 2030. Every time a young woman learns to wire a safe circuit, troubleshoot a solar panel, or maintain a system, she becomes part of the workforce India needs to meet its energy goals. In India’s fast-growing economy, the future of work will depend on whether young women can access practical, industry-aligned training, and translate learning into income, dignity, and mobility. According to the International Labour Organization, the current global labor force participation rate for women is just under 47%. In the renewable energy workforce, women hold roughly 32% of jobs globally.

Shishu Mandir has spent more than four decades creating avenues of opportunity for learners from vulnerable backgrounds. In 2014, the Schneider Electric India Foundation and the Schneider Electric Foundation, through its Youth Education and Entrepreneurship program, partnered with Shishu Mandir to establish a vocational training center in electricity, basic industrial automation, and renewable energy.

2. When women have access to learning and access to energy, it unlocks economic opportunities and rights the gender imbalance. It empowers communities, drives economic growth, and fosters a sense of security and well-being.

From southern India, I left for Jharkhand in the country’s northern hinterlands. Mostly agrarian and deeply dependent on rain-fed agriculture, this is an area with systemic marginalization of women. It’s also here, however, that Schneider Electric’s partnership with Professional Assistance for Development Action has been visibly impactful, through our Climate Smart Village solutions. These include solar arrays with innovative IoT-enabled smart power management systems that ensure the efficient use of solar power.

Benefitting more than 300 families in the two villages I visited, I saw how much we take energy for granted. For some, it’s just a utility. In Ulihatu and Kocha, however, energy is a lifeline. By providing clean and reliable energy for irrigation pumps, agro-processing units, and households, farmers’ income has increased from $600 to $800 USD annually, up to 3x crops annually, reduced migration, and resulted in an average decrease in carbon emissions of 60,000 kg/year. Solar-powered electricity has also improved daily life for people; reliable and consistent access to energy allows healthcare services and schools to operate smoothly. With women at the forefront, proactively managing systems in villages across Jharkhand, there’s now voice, agency, and leadership. 

The success of Schneider’s Climate Smart Villages serves as a blueprint for sustainable development, worldwide. These initiatives demonstrate that with the right resources and timely support, rural communities can achieve remarkable growth and transformation. They show that sustainable energy solutions can drive systemic change, empower lives, and create scalable models for global rural transformation.

As an Impact company and energy tech leader, Schneider Electric is committed to accelerate fair and inclusive energy transitions, by providing access to energy and access to learning.

3. If we increase the representation of women in our workforce and leadership, we increase the longevity and success of our business.

My interactions with Richa Gautam, the CSR lead for Schneider Electric India, showed me how our broad commitments to progress and sustainability translate at the community level. Richa emphasized how our approach addressed real challenges (limited infrastructure, climate vulnerability, lack of opportunities), and brought practical solutions that improve everyday life: reliable electricity, safer homes, health and education, livelihood, and job opportunities.

Our leadership in energy tech means we not only provide solutions like microgrids, smart power management, and decentralized clean energy systems — we also expand the pathways for women to assume key roles in the energy transition. These directly strengthen the resilience of rural communities whose future depends on safe electricity, local expertise, and modern energy systems.

We drive this inclusive approach into communities worldwide and our own workforce. By challenging bias and removing barriers, and focusing on skills, potential, and synergy, we build dynamic, high-performing teams that are crucial for Schneider’s success. Regardless of who you are or where you come from, you have a place to grow, contribute, and succeed at Schneider.

Because, as captured in the theme for International Women’s Day: if we give, we all gain.