BY: Maimuna Isah- Ladan
In 2014, Women Engineering Society (WES) in United Kingdom, launched a global awareness campaign and declared 23rd June of every as International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), to celebrate and raise the profile of women in engineering. Since the launch. The campaign celebrates the outstanding achievements of female Engineers across the globe and encourages more young women to consider engineering as a profession.
The Implicit Association Test (IAT) carried out between 1998 and 2010 with results obtained from over half a million people around the world shows that people subconsciously connect men with science and women with art. This unconscious stereotype also has negative impact on the performance of women in male dominated fields such as engineering. However, women who persist are able to find fulfilling and rewarding experiences in the engineering profession.
Over the years, a lot of women have shown interest in men dominated professions and it is obvious that we have moved past the days when only men shoulder the engineering burden. Today, a lot of women have not only ventured into engineering profession but are fast becoming a source of inspiration to their counterparts and becoming role models for young girls.
Recently, we spoke with some female Engineers in Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) who are breaking the gender barriers.
Speaking about her love for the profession, Engr. Adongari Yakubu said that "I love Engineering. I like the fact that it challenges me. It’s a very interesting job and I like the fact that it makes life easier for everyone. As a female Engineer, you always stand out, right from university days, the male to female ratio was heavily disproportionate with 10 women around 70 men. So, I enjoy the challenge that comes with it".
Similarly, Engr. Talita maintained that " Engineering is something I am very passionate about. It is a very interesting job and I can’t wait to see more females venture into engineering. My advice for younger female Engineers trying to get into the industry is that you have to be willing to stand out. People will respect you when you are reliable, accountable and always deliver what is expected of you".
Halima Muhammad, another female Engineer said that "the thing I have enjoyed most about working in a male dominated career is actually the support I get from my male colleagues. They are so helpful and supportive. I don’t see being an Engineer as challenging because to me, women are equal to the task. I am happy to carry my equipment all the time but will gladly accept help from someone else when it is offered. I feel like there are many assumptions about female engineers as regards lack of competence, it makes me determined even more to prove them wrong".
On her part, Engr. Blessing Tanimu Dodo noted that "working as an engineer in TCN has unlocked so many potentials in me. It has made me discover myself and set out goals to achieve things I wouldn’t have done before. There is no denying that the field of engineering can be a bit of a ‘man’s world’. The best way to navigate is to embrace the work and remain unfazed".
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