The Women Engineers Chapter of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) held a Women Engineers Summit at the PrideInn Paradise Beach Hotel. The theme of the summit was “Leveraging opportunities for Women Engineers”
The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) is the learned society of engineering professionals in Kenya and co-operates with national and other international institutions in developing and applying engineering to the benefit of humanity. Members are drawn from engineers working in various government institutions, consultancies, financial institutions, contractors, academia, manufacturers and other persons interested in engineering across the country.
In her speech at the opening ceremony, Eng. Christine A. Ogut, Chair, Women Engineers Chapter, IEK stated that, “Women are seen as a minority in Engineering, at 7% of the profession, in Kenya. There could be no more fitting theme than “Leveraging opportunities for Women Engineers”. As we all know Covid-19 has redefined the way we do a lot of things. The summit is completely conducted on a digital/ physical platform in line with the social distancing norms due to Covid-19 pandemic. It has taught us a new way of doing things. Women Engineers will play a pivotal role in addressing the challenges facing our people and our planet in the era of lock down and physical distancing.”
“This program therefore, provides Women Engineers with unique opportunities to listen, learn, discuss, share ideas and connect with leading Women Engineers beyond our borders from both Industry and Academia and that it is designed to enable them learn and realize the opportunities that lie ahead.”
Areas addressed at the Summit include: Climbing the Corporate leadership, Procurement, Personal Branding Strategy and Smart Cities and Intelligent Infrastructure.
“Our purpose for bringing Women Engineers together is to provide a platform for networking and professional development. Women Engineers have indeed made huge strides in the last one year – more women engineers in boardrooms, governance, politics and other influential positions. For instance, the IEK Council achieved unprecedented gender parity in March 2020 when 50% of the elected officials were Women Engineers.” Eng. Margaret N. Ogai, Hon. Secretary IEK said
“The COVID-19 pandemic has created new challenges for women professionals, exacerbating longstanding societal inequities. We have witnessed loss of lives, illness and also loss of livelihoods. Women are the primary caregivers and hence bore the brunt of “stay at home” policy since they had to take on additional roles such as supervising schoolwork for children learning from homework. The Women Engineers Summit aims to motivate women engineers to be solution providers and gain necessary skills on lead successfully in the post pandemic economic recovery. This summit is designed to encourage Women Engineers to identify opportunities within the challenges.
Our role as engineers is to provide solutions to societal problems through use of machines, materials, systems and processes which are economical and safe for use while protecting public interest. Engineers build roads, infrastructure and more. Whether it’s the ventilator, or the face shield, hand washing facilities, maintaining transportation systems for the distribution of food, essential medical supplies or even energy supply, engineers contributed to fighting the pandemic. Let us always strive to give our best individual contributions to help.” Eng. Margaret added.
In his opening remarks, Eng. Erastus K. Mwongera, FIEK, RCE, CBS, Board Chairman, Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) stated, “Necessity is truly the mother of invention, and engineering innovation is a universal enabler. We may be finding ourselves in a unique position to challenge predetermined concepts of what is possible. There are countless mind imagination of new ways of working better enabled by the COVID-19 crisis. These are ways you bright powerful women engineers are here to deliberate going forward.
Women engineers will be required to develop inclusive post pandemic solutions. Women boost productivity, increase economic diversification and income equality. Women increase organizational effectiveness and growth. More women engineers would mean more role models for future generations of young girls. Women represent half of the world’s population, need the same resources, and face the same global challenges. Women engineers are therefore key in designing and developing smart, sustainable technology-based solutions that would allow us all to live better lives.
Attracting and supporting more women in engineering benefits everyone by increasing the potential to develop inclusive, innovative solutions for the complex problems the world is facing now during the pandemic and post pandemic.”
In conclusion, IEK President, Nathaniel Matalanga said that, “If you are not doing anything about the current state of things, you are saying that’s okay “. With Women making just 7% of Engineers in Kenya, Gender responsive insights are likely to be missed. IEK is working to increase the representation of women within Engineering. Something am passionate about as IEK President, is growing its male advocacy for women. We encourage young girls to take up stem subjects in schools. This helps them prepare for an engineering career.
Having young girls take up engineering courses will help us develop the critical mass of women engineers that is urgently required. Having more women Engineers in top positions will also help give visibility to the opportunities for female Engineers, while ensuring more equitable, inclusive and representative decisions. This is why the Women Engineers Summit is so important not only for sharing and recognizing the contributions of Women Engineers but also giving a global platform through regular events & networks.”
About WEC
The Women Engineers Chapter (WEC) was established in 2013 as part of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya. WEC which was launched on 26th March,2014 is devoted to the training and advancement of women in the engineering profession. The founding members saw the need to set up an avenue for supporting the academic and professional careers of women engineers to help them become effective and up-to-date in their careers and collaborate with other women engineering organizations around the world.
The Women Engineers Chapter aims to empower women to achieve their full potential in careers as engineers and leaders as well as prepare them for a successful engineering career through the tools, scholarships, networking opportunities and mentorship offered by the Institution of Engineers of Kenya. The chapter is centered on a passion for our members’ success and continues to evolve with the challenges and opportunities reflected in today’s exciting technologies and engineering specialties.
About the 27th IEK Conference 2020
The Institution of Engineers of Kenya in collaboration with the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) is organizing the 27th edition of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya International Conference to be held at PrideInn Paradise Beach Resort and Spa, Shanzu Beach, Mombasa from Tuesday 24th – Friday 27th November 2020. The theme of the conference is “Engineering a Post-COVID-19 Future: Implementing sustainable regional and local development agendas taking into account global best practices”.
About IEK
The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) established in 1972 is the learned society of the engineering profession and co-operates with national and other international institutions in developing and applying engineering to the benefit of humanity. The IEK. Council is committed to ensuring the continued improvement of the performance in service delivery to members and engineering service to the nation. By accomplishing this, the IEK will become a model institution for other professional institutions in the country and beyond. The Vision of the IEK is therefore: “Engineering a sustainable world.
