Solar Installation Team
Arooba Yousuf has always been a trailblazer, pushing boundaries and redefining expectations. As the first girl in her family to pursue engineering, she broke tradition by entering a field dominated by men. Her pioneering spirit didn’t stop there.
Yousuf has now etched her name in history as one of the 28 female engineers who successfully completed a groundbreaking solar project in Pakistan.
Living in Karachi, Yousuf was acutely aware of the financial strain caused by escalating electricity bills. This personal challenge sparked her interest in solar energy, leading her to take a bold step into the emerging field.
“During peak hours, my father would ask us to turn off extra lights and the AC to save on electricity costs,” she recalls. When she learned about a program specifically training female engineers as solar installers, she knew it was her chance to make a difference.
“My mother even joked, ‘You’re going to be installing solar panels on our roof after completing your training!'” Yousuf’s journey from curiosity to action reflects the determination that has driven her and her peers to become pioneers in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
Muskan Iqbal, another member of this trailblazing team, shares a similar story. A student of electrical engineering, Iqbal now proudly holds the title of a certified solar installer.
She sees her accomplishment as a beacon of inspiration for future generations of women. “We live in a male-dominated society where something as simple as a girl riding a bike can draw amused looks,” Iqbal remarks. “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.”
This milestone is not just a technical achievement but a powerful statement on the capabilities of women in Pakistan.
Iman Batool, another key player in this historic project, highlights the gender disparity that persists in engineering. “Males are often given more chances to work in the field, while women get stuck in office jobs,” Batool explains.
The project provided a rare opportunity for her and 27 other female engineers to step out of the office and into the field, where they could apply their skills on a large scale. “It was an incredible learning experience for all of us,” Batool notes, emphasizing the importance of such hands-on opportunities in bridging the gender gap in engineering.
Tara Uzra, chairperson of LADIES Fund Energy, the implementing partner of the project, expressed her pride in this historic accomplishment. “This is the first time in Pakistan’s history that an all-women team has completed a rooftop solar installation,” Uzra stated.
“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.”
This project is about more than just installing solar panels; it’s about shattering stereotypes and redefining the role of women in Pakistan’s energy sector.
Through their groundbreaking work, these women have shown that they are not only capable of contributing to technical fields — they are leading the way, setting a new standard for what is possible.
I am a dynamic professional, specializing in Peace and Conflict Studies, Conflict Management and Resolution, and International Relations. My expertise is particularly focused on South Asian Conflicts and the intricacies of the Indian Ocean and Asia Pacific Politics. With my skills as a Content Writer, I serve as a bridge between academia and the public, translating complex global issues into accessible narratives. My passion for fostering understanding and cooperation on the national and international stage drives me to make meaningful contributions to peace and global discourse.
