International Women in Engineering Day shines a spotlight on the progress made towards gender equity in engineering and technology and the importance of female role models in inspiring and empowering the next generation of women in tech.
As the world marks International Women in Engineering Day, the occasion serves as an important reminder of both the progress made and the work still needed to achieve greater gender equity across engineering and technology.
Female role models play a critical role in this journey, inspiring the next generation of talent, fostering confidence and resilience and demonstrating that diverse perspectives are essential to solving complex challenges.
As emerging technologies are reshaping the engineering landscape, championing women in tech has never been more important.
Wenjia Liu, VP and General Manager, Battery Management Solutions, Texas Instruments
“Women engineers bring a variety of life experiences that offer different viewpoints and approaches to tackle complex challenges. One common attribute I’ve seen in women engineers is resilience, which helps us push through difficult situations and find solutions in the end. Programs dedicated to developing the careers of women in engineering foster that resilience. This International Women in Engineering Day, my advice to women interested in engineering is to be curious and work hard. Solving a problem is where engineering starts, and there’s no fun if it’s easy.”
Faye Ellis, Principal Training Architect, Pluralsight
“When I began my career as a junior systems engineer, I was thrown into a male-dominated industry where a lack of female role models made me doubt my own ability. I found it challenging to find the circles where female communities were brought together to inspire growth, technical skills development and showcase diverse leadership.
“Fast forward to now and still, many women in the tech industry find they have to exceed expectations to gain the same recognition as male colleagues. To make a real change, we must collectively come together to champion women’s work in the industry.
“This is particularly important as the conversation around AI in engineering proliferates, as women bring diversity to a rapidly transforming engineering landscape. The integration of these tools demands diverse perspectives to avoid biased outcomes, and we must ensure that women successfully move into more strategic roles as work becomes automated.
“Recognising the talent and potential within our own engineering teams will help close the opportunity gap, empowering, encouraging and elevating women – helping them grow, explore new challenges and succeed in the industry for generations to come.”
Ayesha Iqbal, IEEE Senior Member, Engineering Trainer, Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre (MTC)
“Through the IEEE’s Women in Engineering network, she actively mentors young women, working to dismantle the systemic cultural barriers that hinder their progression. Recognising that structural obstacles remain deeply entrenched and frequently unaddressed, Ayesha offers the following perspectives on why meaningful inclusion in STEM careers requires looking far beyond initial recruitment efforts.
“Despite initiatives to support diversity and equal opportunity, women are still disproportionately under-represented in engineering. Even those who study STEM courses are less likely to pursue it as a career due to persistent barriers, and those who do are more likely to quit the field early, frequently due to greater rates of discrimination or a lack of support.
“We need to shift the focus from simply getting women into STEM to making sure they are supported, valued and given equal opportunities to thrive. Employers should provide equal hiring and promotion opportunities based on merit, talent, and skill; there should be no gender-related pay disparity. This is how a truly equal workplace is established.
“Progress also needs to be made from an early age, with parents taking the lead in transforming mindsets. Introducing young girls to STEM clubs, competitions, and hands-on events builds early interest and confidence. Moreover, amplifying the stories of women thriving in male-dominated arenas like engineering provides the blueprints for future generations to follow. This isn’t just a moral goal, it’s crucial for innovation – especially in emerging areas like AI and automation. Diverse perspectives spark better ideas. We still have a long way to go, but the future is bright.”
