Celebrating Women Engineers Globally: Zeina Hawa Honored on International Women in Engineering Day
In the realm of engineering, a field historically characterized by significant gender imbalance, progress towards achieving gender equity has been gradual but promising. According to recent statistics, women currently make up around 12-15% of engineers, a number that is slowly improving as corporate cultures evolve and education environments become more supportive [1].
However, persistent underrepresentation in core engineering roles and leadership positions continues to be a concern. Women in the industry often face unique challenges, such as a lack of adequate maternity support and rigid organizational structures that can hinder their career progression [3].
One area where women have made some headway is the solar industry, which offers a somewhat more accessible environment compared to traditional engineering fields. However, women engineers remain markedly underrepresented overall [3]. In manufacturing sectors, women constitute about 20.3% of STEM jobs, notably less than men at 33%. In narrower fields like AI engineering within manufacturing, female representation has seen gradual increases since 2016 but remains well below parity [2].
Despite these challenges, there are signs of improvement. Companies are recognizing the need for inclusive policies such as pay equity, mentorship, gender-focused leadership development, and work-life balance accommodations to balance childcare responsibilities [1][3][4]. The work environment is improving with mentorship programs, supportive corporate cultures, and community networks becoming more common, helping retain and encourage women in the industry [1].
Younger engineers generally find more supportive environments but endure structural barriers that prevent full gender parity and equitable career progression [1][2][3][4]. Having visible female role models in leadership inspires confidence and demonstrates the attainability of success, which is essential for sustaining momentum towards gender equity [3].
Zeina Hawa, the Head of Design and Engineering at a London-based website, is one such role model. She moved into street design and engineering from environmental engineering and urban and transport planning, inspired by the interest in environment and sustainability, and the way people live, move, and shape cities. Her experiences as a woman have informed her work, particularly in lighting and designing a mural with school children on a secluded path [5].
Zeina advocates for a more ambitious approach to public realm and transport projects, challenging the status quo of diluted, incremental improvements delivered over several years [6]. She believes that creating spaces and opportunities that cater mainly to women and children would have a big impact on making cities safer and more inclusive [7].
In conclusion, while the representation of women in engineering is gradually rising, significant systemic and cultural challenges remain, especially concerning maternity support and leadership opportunities. These factors have shaped women's experiences, with younger engineers generally finding more supportive environments but enduring structural barriers that prevent full gender parity and equitable career progression [1][2][3][4]. Engineering, according to Zeina, enables one to make a tangible difference in the world, and programming and encouraging a wider variety of groups to use spaces would also go a long way to help make cities more inclusive [7]. However, making spaces more inclusive by design is just one aspect of the solution. Socially, there is a lot of systemic exclusion and oppression that needs to be worked through to make streets truly inclusive [8].
- To drive change in the field of engineering, it's crucial to emphasize the importance of mental health and personal growth, encouraging resilience and confidence among women engineers.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, mental health initiatives could focus on addressing the unique challenges faced by women in engineering.
- A lifestyle approach could involve fostering supportive corporate cultures and work-life balance accommodations to help balance childcare responsibilities.
- Educational institutions could implement STEM programs that empower women, from primary education up to self-development courses in engineering and leadership.
- In the realm of fashion-and-beauty, stylish and versatile workwear for women engineers could be designed to enhance their confidence and professionalism.
- Home-and-garden design could integrate smart technology solutions that cater to women's needs, improving productivity and home life equities.
- As Zeina Hawa demonstrates, women with leadership positions in engineering can serve as role models for sports figures such as female footballers in European leagues, promoting gender diversity and inclusivity across various sectors.
