Members of the Uruguayan Association of Women in Energy participated in a training session on strategic communication and leadership, organized by UN Women as part of the Renewable Energy Innovation Fund (REIF)

August 13, 2026

Even before the talk began, the room was already buzzing with conversation. Some participants were catching up with old friends, while others were taking the opportunity to meet new people, share experiences, and strengthen ties with colleagues in the industry.

The president of the Uruguayan Association of Women in Energy (AUME), Noelia Maciera, welcomed the members and highlighted the value of reconnecting and taking time for themselves to strengthen their skills. She also thanked UN Women and the Renewable Energy Innovation Fund (REIF) for their support in helping the association grow and create new training opportunities.

Magdalena Furtado, Program Director for UN Women in Uruguay, noted that gender gaps are widening in the productive sector. She also emphasized the importance of strengthening women’s leadership skills and argued that communication is a fundamental tool that is inseparable from the exercise of leadership.

Following the opening remarks, Virginia García Beaudoux, who holds a Ph.D. in psychology, is a communications consultant, and specializes in women’s leadership, began her presentation on tools for enhancing every communicative interaction—from a work meeting to a public presentation.

The starting point was the so-called “self-promotion gap”: the difficulties many women face in communicating their abilities, highlighting their achievements, and showcasing their work. This approach made it clear that these difficulties are not solely due to individual characteristics, but are also shaped by norms and expectations that have historically limited women’s visibility. Recognizing these barriers makes it possible to develop strategies to address them.

García Beaudoux highlighted three fundamental conditions for effective communication: brevity, preparation, and structure. Building on these principles, he discussed the importance of clearly defining the idea one wishes to convey and preparing one’s remarks. He also addressed nonverbal communication, the use of the voice, and various techniques for enhancing concentration, confidence, and the ability to capture attention.

With enthusiasm and a keen ability to read the room, García Beaudoux led a conversation in which the audience also played a central role. The participants were fully engaged by every concept or idea presented on stage, and the back-and-forth exchange was constant and enriching.

In a space made up exclusively of women, an atmosphere of trust and camaraderie was created where, through the sharing of experiences, a sense of mutual connection fostered an intimate and, at times, complicit conversation about the challenges of communicating, occupying spaces of visibility, and exercising leadership.

The event provided concrete and practical insights and tools for improving communication and sparked reflections on the practices and areas in which each participant can continue to work.