Almost 20 years ago, while I was a teenager in high school, I was required to select subjects that would ultimately lead me to a career. I remember thinking the only things I was certain I wanted to keep learning because I enjoyed them so much were Music, English, Math and Physics. However, we were required to pick 8 subjects; 7 of which would be evaluated during the final secondary exam called KCSE in Kenya, and the results would determine which program you’d be called to do at university by the admissions board. In retrospect, choosing subjects was the first actual step I took towards this career. The choice for me was guided by conversations with my parents and siblings and deciding to lean into what came naturally which was an aptitude for the Sciences. But unlike the stereotypical Science student, I kept singing, dancing and being great at literature because I never felt like it had to be an either or choice. I’m eternally grateful for the ecosystem that made that possible and I discuss this in my editor’s note in the Careers issue of Queengineers.
In 2008, when I started my engineering course, Kenya had only 3 public institutions accredited to provide Engineering training. This meant that the competition to get into the programs was quite stiff and that the number of graduate engineers being released into the market was very low. Given that female students at the time represented less than a quarter of the class, it was compounding the problem of few female engineers in Kenya even at graduate level. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that today there are 51 accredited Engineering programs offered across 13 institutions as per the Engineers Board Accreditation Checker. The number of Engineers has indeed increased from 2020 when we last checked (the numbers are shared here) but sadly the proportion of female engineers is still extremely low. Women only make up 13% of the graduate population, 8% of the professional engineering class and 3% of consulting engineers as illustrated below (Source: Engineers Board Register).
In December 2020, Queengineers received our first monetary contribution of approximately 3,600 USD from Chibole Wakoli, my sister and supporter of my work. My editor’s note in our Leadership Issue highlights how her leadership style has and continues to influence my own. That donation enabled us to print 600 copies of Queengineers, 200 of each issue, for distribution across schools and libraries in Kenya. We leveraged existing relationships to get the magazines in the hands of young women who were uncertain about their future because it felt that much more significant to provide hope and inspiration given the harrowing times we were all living through globally.
Since then, we have distributed 170 copies across 6 community libraries in Kaloleni, Makadara, Butere, Mukuru kwa Reuben, Dandora (pictured below) and the oldest public library in Nairobi, the MacMillan. Libraries were considered safe chaperoned spaces that young people could use during the pandemic to stay out of mischief as well as enhance their literacy. As an avid reader myself, I am grateful that these establishments agreed to stock a few copies of Queengineers for their readers.
We continue to be inspired by the work of women-led and women-centric organizations working to enhance African women’s scholarship, technology and leadership skills. The Steming Africa Initiative founded by Valentina Ndolo is an organization that helps African women to apply for scholarships for graduate studies in STEM. They also run a Female Ambassadors in STEM (FAS) mentorship program to mentor high school girls. Brenda Rombo is a mechanical engineer who started Be The Engineer - a non-profit that champions for inclusion and diversity in the engineering profession. They hold career talks with high school and university students as well as convene seminars for female engineering professionals. Michelle Boit is one of Kenya’s first female petroleum engineers. She runs a Foundation which offers scholarships to young girls as well as hosts mentorship and community outreach programs.
To amplify the stories of African women in STEM, Dr Cynthia Waliaula is a medical doctor who hosts the Steming from Africa podcast interviewing women on their work as well as their interests outside of work. The Mawazo Institute, co-founded by Dr. Rose Mutiso, is a women-led African organization supporting early-career women researchers and thought leaders to strengthen their research, policy influence and public engagement. They run multiple programs including fellowships, science quiz nights, host a podcast as well as run a blog highlighting the scholarly outputs of African women. Finally, Words that Count is an organization that is building an Africa where young girls and women thrive in STEM through shared experiences by featuring stories of African female professionals.
Now more than ever, there is a greater need to push forward with highlighting the centrality of diversity and inclusion in the Engineering profession. The 2nd UNESCO Engineering Report shows how equal opportunities for all is key to ensuring an inclusive and gender balanced profession that can better respond to the shortage of engineers for implementing the 17 SDGs. If you’ve made it this far into the article and you’d like to contribute towards making Engineering more diverse, here are a few suggestions:
- Make schools safer for young girls – be more engaged at a community level to ensure girls are safe from predators.
- Sponsor a girl from an underprivileged background through school by paying their fees and upkeep.
- Fund the provision of hygienic sanitation facilities and sanitary products in schools.
- Equip school and community libraries with diverse literature. You could even print a few copies of Queengineers and donate to a school near you!
- Equip laboratories in girls’ schools to support their practical learning of the Sciences.
- Spread the word: Share this article and the work of the women and organizations linked herein. Help amplify the work that is already happening and inspire others to take initiative and join the movement.
This blog was written by Martha Wakoli, the editor of Queengineers. If you would like to collaborate with Queengineers, reach out on [email protected]