Inspiring Women in structural engineering: Aween A. Abubaker

I am originally from Kurdistan! which comprises the following four regions:

• southeastern Turkey (Northern Kurdistan),

• northern Iraq (Southern Kurdistan),

• northwestern Iran (Eastern Kurdistan),

• northern Syria (Western Kurdistan).

I have a deep desire to belong, and this is where my journey started: believing in what you hold on to and not always waiting for recognition.

Many times, I am asked why I decided to become an engineer. It's an interesting question that seems straightforward: I loved science and math, and I wanted to create things. However, the answer is not always that easy. In my view, studying a subject and becoming a professional in that field are two different things. Despite my top grades in math, physics, and chemistry, I had little idea of what it truly meant to be an engineer. I followed what I was told: become an engineer, secure a stable future. And honestly, in my first year of engineering college, there were around 110 students, and I can confidently say 90% of us didn’t know why we were studying engineering. Unfortunately, only a few of us later pursued engineering further.

My journey in engineering has been very dynamic. I started as a site engineer, then became a BIM coordinator, and moved to computational design and structural engineering. Jumping between these roles, I often found it hard to fit into one category, sometimes leading to mislabelling or not being seen as a "pure engineer." However, through these experiences, I realised the value of being a generalist rather than a specialist. This realisation brings two main topics into play: trying to make it in the Western world while not following the typical path.

Initially, navigating this unconventional path was confusing and frustrating. Don’t get me wrong, it still is, because I wanted to be seen and valued. But I eventually understood the importance of being authentic. This new energy and new ways of being are much needed in today’s workplaces because we no longer want to always be defined by predefined roles. Even though I am often told that by being so broad it would take me ages to master it, my thinking is this world is not always run by only masters or specialists. We also need people who make an impact on different levels and in various areas.

In structural engineering, we learn how to design, create, and optimise spaces using sustainable methods and pursue better materials. But more importantly, we become creators. The world needs more engineers not only to design buildings but also to help expand our worldview.

As I write this, I am aware that over 130 million girls worldwide are out of school and may never have the chance to create and innovate. On the other side of the world, unfortunately, we still face many "mind boxes" -and those who make it into the industry often try to fit into a system designed by a predominantly male world. I have worked in four different countries and have seen the same challenges, albeit on different scales.

Looking back, I realise I was fighting against ideologies and beliefs more than the engineering subjects themselves, aware that engineering as a subject is already tough.

Knowing that in many countries it is still a struggle to be educated, I find that female engineers have already gotten used to working harder. To progress any further, like me, these women have already taken risks in their lives and broken away from norms: by moving out of their countries and having to work on their professions, their identities, and against a society that still wants to contain them.

The impact these women have on the world is huge, even if not always seen in the workplace or day-to-day work. It is a big movement that needs more focus and spotlight. Their responsibility to society becomes even bigger because they create a trail for all the girls in their own country and, at the same time, are an inspiration for people in the Western world.