‘International Women’s Day: what we want’ – Energy Voice
We’re proud to see Mark Freed, Co-Founder of Men for Inclusion, featured in Energy Voice as part of a special feature marking International Women’s Day 2026.
In the article, Mark shares his hopes for greater progress on gender equity in the energy sector and emphasises the critical role leaders play in shaping inclusive cultures. While policies, diversity teams and initiatives all have an important part to play, he argues that meaningful change ultimately depends on leadership. Culture is defined by what leaders prioritise, reward and challenge every day and inclusion cannot simply be delegated.
Mark highlights that moments like International Women’s Day are important for sparking conversation and showing visible support. However, real progress comes when leaders ensure that women are consistently seen, heard and valued throughout the year, not just on awareness days.
His message strongly aligns with a core belief at Men for Inclusion: inclusive cultures are not just about fairness, they are fundamental to organisational success. When leaders actively foster environments where people feel respected and able to contribute fully, innovation accelerates, productivity grows and organisations are better able to access the diverse talent they need.
This is particularly important in industries undergoing significant transformation. As the energy sector works towards the global transition to cleaner energy, unlocking the full potential of diverse talent will be essential. Inclusive leadership enables organisations to attract, retain and develop the broad range of skills and perspectives needed to meet these challenges.
At Men for Inclusion, we continue to champion the idea that inclusion is a core leadership responsibility. Just like safety, it must be embedded in the everyday behaviours, decisions and expectations that shape organisational culture.
Because when leaders take ownership of inclusion, the benefits extend far beyond representation – strengthening performance, culture and the ability to build a better future for everyone.
