Women breaking taboos, working in the Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Industry

April 4, 2022

Photo: Parvin Muminov/ UNDP Tajikistan

When we talk about the refrigeration and air-conditioning industry, we always think only men are working there, but now things have changed. Take the example of Ganjina, who got married at a younger age and had to stop her education after graduating from high school. But she dreamed of becoming an engineer and working in the household appliance manufacturing industry.

She managed to get a job as an office assistant at ARTEL, a home appliance delivery and assembly company, in 2019, but she aspired to work in the field of assembling or diagnosing equipment. "I made a goal for myself to learn, and that desire brought me to Dushanbe's Engineering and Pedagogical College," Ganjina says.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with financial support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), initiated a Certificate course for women like Ganjina to become a certified technician to work in refrigeration and air-conditioning industry in collaboration with the Engineering and Pedagogical College of Dushanbe. The partnership was made under "Complete HCFC (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) Phase-Out in Tajikistan through Promotion of zero ozone-depleting potential (ODP), low global warming potential (GWP), Energy-Efficient Technologies," project of UNDP-GEF.

The overall objective of the project is to support the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan to meet Montreal Protocol commitments by phasing-out HCFCs and ensuring sustainability, and promote the introduction and demonstration of technologies using zero-ODS, and advocating energy efficiency in the refrigeration and air-conditioning industry sector. 

After successful completion of the course in 2021, Ganjina soon will start working for the ARTEL as a technician in their quality control department. " Now I am more confident and have better skills to work for ARTEL as a technician. I thank my professors and others who helped me fulfil my dream and contribute to protecting the climate," Ganjina remarked.

She feels that more women should join the refrigeration and air conditioning industry., It will not only help women to be empowered but also will help the industry to have sincere and skilled workers.