As we commemorate International Women's Day this year, under the banner of #InspireInclusion and the United Nations' call to #investinwomen, I find myself reflecting on the dual nature of this celebration. As a senior woman in engineering, I'm torn between frustration over the necessity of a special day to acknowledge women's contributions and the recognition of the progress we've made and continue to make in fields historically dominated by men.
Despite these mixed feelings, I choose to focus on the positive and celebrate the diversity and uniqueness everyone brings to the art and science of engineering. It's vital we evolve to enhance gender balance, not just for equality's sake but to enrich our profession with a broad spectrum of perspectives and skills.
In my journey through the engineering world, I've been drawn to projects that serve our communities and protect our environment, finding motivation in technical progression and collaboration with like-minded individuals. It's crucial to acknowledge that inspiration can come from various sources and at different career stages. Therefore, a diverse set of role models and peers is essential for providing inspiration and reflecting the wide array of paths one can take in engineering.
Recognising everyone's contribution, especially in ways traditional metrics may overlook, is key to inspiring and investing in women in engineering. Sharing our engineering stories, complete with ups and downs, can inspire others to make a difference in the world using their unique skills and perspectives.
As the 2024 President, I'm motivated by the belief in our engineering community's power to uplift everyone, including women at all career stages. This has driven the update of our mentoring web page, where we ask for members to register their interest to become a mentor, reflecting our commitment to support, inspire, and facilitate access to diverse experiences and knowledge.
Investment doesn't stop with professional development; it extends to our projects' impact on people and communities. Our duty is to ensure that our engineering solutions positively affect both men and women equally, recognizing our influence on society's fabric.
I've contributed to an upcoming publication on Inclusive Design for Structural Engineers, sought projects that celebrate female leadership and serve underrepresented communities, and educated myself on equity related to public space planning and policies. Moreover, my Call to Action for 2024 emphasises mentoring and knowledge sharing, advocating for a profession that inspires inclusion and invests in women at every level. I invite you to join me in this journey by taking action that aligns with your skills and interests and inspires inclusion or invests in women.
As we look forward to a more inclusive and equitable future in engineering and beyond, let's use our skills, knowledge, and privilege as engineers to inspire change, invest in women, and create a profession and a world that values and benefits everyone.
#engineeringforpeopleandplanet