Zanele Ngema, Director at CKR Consulting Engineers
The Engineering Council of South Africa’s 2022/2023 annual report unveils a stark gender disparity in the country’s engineering profession. Despite efforts to increase diversity, the pace of change remains slow. The report reveals that out of 48,379 actively registered engineers, only 6,883 (14.2%) are female, while males overwhelmingly dominate the field with 41,496 (85.8%) registrations. This significant imbalance underscores the persistent challenges in attracting and retaining women in professional engineering roles.
Over the years, however, the landscape has begun to shift. Inclusive policies and initiatives promoting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education among young girls have gradually increased the visibility of women in engineering. South Africa commemorating 30 years of democracy this Women’s Month is an opportune moment to reflect on how far we’ve progressed in empowering women in engineering since then.
This year’s Women’s Month theme, “Celebrating 30 Years of Democracy Towards Women’s Development,” resonates deeply with me as a black female engineer who has navigated the complexities of this male-dominated field for two decades. Here’s what we’ve accomplished and what more we need to do as we mark this milestone.
The changing face of engineering
When I began my career in 2004, the landscape for women in engineering, particularly for women of colour, was considerably different from what we see today. The construction industry, traditionally a stronghold of masculinity, presented formidable challenges.
In the early days of our democracy, seeing a woman on a construction site was a rarity, let alone one in a leadership position. The industry was not just male-dominated – it was often hostile to female participation. However, the winds of change brought by our new constitution slowly shifted this paradigm.
Today, while still underrepresented, women are increasingly visible in all engineering aspects and are making strides. From design offices to construction sites, female engineers are making their mark. This progress is a testament to the power of inclusive policies, the promotion of STEM education among young girls, the resilience and determination of the women who dared to dream of entering this field and the changing societal norms and values.
South Africa’s female empowerment challenges and triumphs
The journey has not been without its hurdles. As a woman of colour in engineering, I’ve faced my fair share of challenges. Early in my career, I often doubted my capabilities, grappling with imposter syndrome in a field where I was frequently the only woman in the room.
The subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) undermining of decisions, the need to constantly prove oneself, and the lack of visible role models were all part of the terrain. However, these challenges have also been the crucible that forged my strength and determination.
One of my proudest achievements was leading the construction of major shopping centres in Soweto while pregnant. This experience showcased my technical abilities and challenged stereotypes about women’s roles in the industry. Similarly, being involved in building Durban’s first Green Star-rated building, which received accolades for both design and as-built ratings, was a milestone that demonstrated the innovative thinking that diverse perspectives bring to engineering.
The power of diversity and inclusion
As we reflect on three decades of democracy, it’s clear that diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords but essential components of progress in engineering. Women’s unique attributes that they bring to the field – our often empathetic nature, different approaches to problem-solving, and ability to see challenges from various angles – are increasingly recognised as valuable assets.
However, true inclusivity goes beyond gender. Addressing intersectionality – considering factors such as race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic background – is crucial for creating an engineering field that reflects the rich diversity of our rainbow nation. Women from underrepresented backgrounds often face additional barriers, from limited access to quality education to fewer networking opportunities.
By implementing comprehensive diversity initiatives, we can work towards levelling the playing field and ensuring all women have equal opportunities to succeed.
Nurturing the next generation of empowered females
As we look to the future, we must focus on nurturing the next generation of female engineers. The visibility of successful women in engineering is crucial – we cannot be what we cannot see. By actively mentoring young women, providing internship opportunities, and engaging with schools to promote STEM education, we can inspire more girls to pursue engineering careers.
These efforts will enable us to continue pushing for a higher visible representation of women in engineering at all levels, from entry-level positions to executive leadership.
The road ahead
While we’ve made significant strides in the past 30 years, we still have a way to go. The engineering industry must continue to evolve, embracing flexible work options, implementing measurable diversity and inclusion goals, and ensuring that leadership is committed to these initiatives.
To improve diversity and inclusion in the engineering industry, I believe our industry should focus on:
- Active sponsorship: Encourage industry leaders to actively sponsor and advocate for diverse talent, helping young women gain visibility and access to career advancement opportunities.
- Clear goals and metrics: Establish diversity and inclusion organisational goals and track this progress using representation, retention rates, and employee satisfaction metrics.
- Recognition of achievements: Celebrate the achievements and contributions of diverse employees and recognise their impact on the organisation.
- Regular policy review: Continuously review and revise company policies and practices to address systemic barriers and ensure they promote diversity and inclusion.
- Leadership commitment: Ensure senior leadership is committed to diversity and inclusion and is involved in driving and supporting these initiatives.
We should celebrate our country’s progress in empowering women to break barriers in previously male-dominated industries like engineering while recommitting ourselves to the work ahead. The future of women in engineering is bright, limited only by our imagination and determination.
To the young girls dreaming of a career in engineering, I say: The path may not be easy, but it is worth it. Your voices, ideas, and leadership are not just welcome in this field but are essential. As we build the next 30 years of South Africa’s democracy, let it be with women’s full participation and leadership in engineering.
The future of women in engineering will be driven by the growing number of successful women in the field because their visibility as role models will inspire future generations. Young women and girls seeing role models who look like them and have achieved success in the field will help break down stereotypes and build the confidence the future generation needs to pursue similar careers.
