APWEN seeks end to gender bias in engineering practice

Poised to limit challenges against women, the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) has reiterated the need to break the gender bias in the workforce and expand the enrollment of the girl-child in engineering-related fields.

APWEN President, Dr. Elizabeth Eterigho, spoke at the inauguration of the new chapter of APWEN in Gombe state chapter, chaired by Hafsat Suleiman Jalo and other members of the executive.

In line with APWEN’s mission, she said it is important to stimulate women engineers to achieve excellence and leadership in the profession and society.

According to her, promoting and enhancing women’s interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is central to APWEN, adding that the association encourages sound engineering practice and creates an avenue for women engineers to collaborate with professionals across all disciplines in Nigeria and globally.

Eterigho said: “The association is committed to the technological advancement of Nigeria by driving professional growth of members. Our Objectives are to provide a forum for promoting sorority among females in STEM, and encourage engineering studies and practice amongst female Nigerians. We have launched the Invent It, Build its programme in partnership with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) in the six geo-political zones of the country. We have 18 collegiate chapters in universities and now 39 (including Gombe) in cities across Nigeria and in diaspora.”

“We introduced a girl to engineering” – a programme for girls in secondary schools, the Mayen Adetiba Technical Boot Camp for Secondary Schools girls (Ages 12 – 15), FunSTEM: Teaching STEM subjects with fun to both teachers and junior secondary schools, innovative ways for women in job delivery, particularly, the rural women and the SheEngineer programme for Junior Secondary School Girls Funded by Royal Academy, United Kingdom in 2019/2020 and APWEN’s town and gown mentoring/career fair for young engineers and others.”

She emphasised that Jalo’s leadership qualities would immensely impact the growth of the association and urged members to extend necessary support to her.

“We have all chosen to be part of this mission because of our collective resolve and positive outlook for the future of the girl-child and to build a future generation where everyone is an equal stakeholder. I appeal to the new executive to work as a team for a higher impact of APWEN in the state and your support in every aspect to keep the APWEN flag flying,” she said.

The APWEN president lauded the chairman, the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Gombe state, Ibrahim Kawuwa for efforts to establish the chapter in the state.

In her acceptance speech, Jalo pledged to work with stakeholders in achieving the aims and objectives of APWEN.