APWEN Plans to Build Women's Capacity in Energy, Automotive & Aviation Sectors

To improve productivity and foster an environment where women can excel as engineers and leaders, the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), in collaboration with the Royal Academy of Engineering, recently held a stakeholders' engagement with experts in the energy, automotive, and aviation sectors.

The association's president, Dr. Elizabeth Eterigho, spoke at the event in Lagos and emphasized the significance of gender diversity in the workplace, claiming that it is essential to establishing a secure and respected work environment. ​

According to Dr. Elizabeth, "women's engagement in leadership roles is vital to accomplishing sustainable development goals because they make up over 50% of the world's population and contribute significantly to the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP)."

Dr. Elizabeth said that while gender plays a significant role in both human lives and organizations, there are still issues with it, particularly in the workplace. "Some standard policies fail to recognize that men and women have different requirements, and these rules can reinforce women's persistent marginalization in businesses with a male preponderance."

She cited a few methods, like having clear rules in place that target gender equality and incorporating gender into it, that businesses may be made friendlier for employees, particularly in a world where women are indeed outnumbered in leadership roles.

This will make sure that all workers, regardless of gender identity or expression, feel that they can speak up at work and be treated properly. 

Companies must comprehend how their policies impact workers and how gender-related aspects might enhance them. People function best and are likely to remain with the company for a longer period when they feel like they are being treated fairly, according to the president.

Dr. Felicia Agubata, a former president of APWEN and the project manager for the Royal Academy of Engineering SheEngineer 30% Club, stated in her remarks that the club aims to recruit 100 female engineers, empower 300 participants through its various programs, it has at least 30 SheEngineer 30% club enabled organizations in Lagos by March 2023, increase the number of 30 female engineering mentors for club members, and spread the word to all tertiary institutions in La.

"Our strategy is to use Lagos's automotive, oil, and aerospace industries to collect data. We also intend to work with employers, policymakers, and educators to develop an inclusive atmosphere for learning and to encourage engineering firms to create a diversity and inclusion policy. Additionally, we plan to launch the SheEngineer 30 club to encourage firms to commit to hiring at least 30% women”.

Part of its plans, Dr. Felicia added, will be a one-week work shadowing in aerospace/aviation/energy industries for secondary school students.​ "We intend to take 10 girls and place them in different engineering departments to ignite their passion and get them set for a possible career in engineering.

By providing leadership, personal branding, strategy development, and skill building through career clinics, the team leader added, "We are also enhancing the capability of practicing female engineers and women engineers returning to the workforce."

According to her, the initiatives will expand the number of positions and job opportunities available to women in the engineering industries, serve as a pipeline for bringing more women into the field, develop an all-encompassing program with a focus on social visibility and advocacy for female engineers, work to boost organizations' and businesses' understanding of the function of women in engineering, and establish a system of support and rewards for both aspiring and working women in the field.

Dr. Daniel Young, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Turtle Aviation, highlighted APWEN as a source of pride for the nation in his keynote address. He also stressed the necessity for inclusive programs that will ensure that women are not left behind.