A call has been made for public recognition of achievements of women engineers as a means to address gender biases and stereotypes that often hindered their advancement in the engineering profession.
Mrs Tinuade Jolaade Afolabi, a professor of Chemical Engineering in the Department of Chemical Engineering, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, made the call.
She spoke at the inauguration of Dr Iretioluwa Mojisola Oyerinde, as the pioneer chairman, Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Oyo Chapter.
Professor Afolabi spoke on “Impact Of Women Engineers In Technological Advancement,” such a recognition would further promote female engineers.
She said recognition for and publicising the achievements of female engineers can help debunk the myth that Engineering is a male-dominated profession.
She stressed the need for encouragement of more women to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
She noted that technological advancement have paved the way for women to empower themselves in their personal and professional lives.
Professor Afolabi listed examples of such technological advancement to include Information and Communication Technology; Artificial intelligence (Al); Robotics and Biotechnology.
“The development of the internet, smartphones, and the social media have revolutionised communication and access to information,” she said.
Also, Dr Adebisi R. Osim, President APWEN, said establishment of Oyo chapter “signals a bold step toward inclusion, innovation and capacity building in the engineering profession, particularly, in Oyo State.”
Osim said the theme, “The Impact of Women Engineers in Technological Advancement,” was timely and significant.
She said: “Around the world, women are proving everyday that Engineering is not a male-dominated terrain.
“From sustainable energy solutions to software development, infrastructure design to biomedical innovation, female engineers are reshaping industries, building nations and transforming lives.
“At APWEN, our mission is simple, but profound, to encourage, enhance and excel. We empower women to lead with competence and courage in engineering.
“We mentor girls to embrace science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) from a young age. And, we build platforms like this one to strengthen our network and deepen our impact.
“Also, our responsibilities as engineers go beyond calculations and constructions. We are nation-builders, problem solvers and role models.”
Osim stated that, as women, they carry the added responsibility of challenging stereotypes and paving paths for others.
In her goodwill message, the Royal Mother of the occasion, Olori Alaafin of Oyo, Ayaba Abiwunmi Owoade, said: “We are celebrating women as builders of infrastructure, of innovation, of technology and of transformation”.
“That, to me, is power in its truest form. As Olori of the Alaafin of Oyo, I extend to you my blessings, my support and my deep admiration,” Owoade said.
