Stakeholders at the International Women in Engineering Day event on Thursday recognized the ongoing challenges in achieving gender parity in the engineering profession and reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring equal opportunities for women to innovate, lead and excel in shaping the future of engineering.
The event was organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) at the ILO Country Office in Islamabad to mark the International Women in Engineering Day. Various stakeholders, including representatives from the Government, employers’ and workers’ organizations at the event highlighted the contributions of women in the engineering field and highlighted the challenges they face in accessing and pursuing engineering careers.
International Women in Engineering Day serves as a global initiative to promote the visibility of women in engineering, showcasing diverse career opportunities and celebrating the remarkable achievements of women engineers worldwide.
In Pakistan, women’s labour force participation rate stands at a concerning 21%, with the majority concentrated in unskilled and low-skilled roles. Only one percent of women hold managerial positions. This disparity extends to the engineering field, where women remain significantly under-represented.
The event underscored the need for increased investment in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education for girls. It also called for initiatives to promote gender parity in male-dominated fields in Pakistan and to create a working environment that is more inclusive and free of violence and harassment.
