GENDER IMBALANCE IN THE ENGINEERING SECTOR AND THE COUNTIES “CLOSING THE GAP”

1. GENDER IMBALANCE IN THE ENGINEERING SECTOR AND THE COUNTIES“CLOSING THE GAP” Eng. Christine A Ogut, Manager (Roads) KENYA URBAN ROADS AUTHORITY 19th ENGINEERS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE KENYATTA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE 9-11 MAY,2012, NAIROBI KENYA

2. Presentation outline • Background • Gender imbalance in Engineering • Statistics in Engineering • Why Gender Imbalance • What has been done in Kenya • Opportunities • Closing the Gap

3. BACKGROUND • Gender refers to socially determined power relations, roles, responsibilities and entitlements for men and women; girls and boys • Commitment by Kenya Government to promote gender balance in both political and social realms • Implementation NARC manifesto, 33% representation of women in all sectors & particularly in decision making positions

4. BACKGROUND • Gender is about giving people equal opportunity • Commitment by Kenya Government to promote gender balance in both political and social realms • At county level – Not more than two-thirds of any County Assembly or County Executive shall be of the same gender • Gender disparity limits women's participation in national development processes at various levels

5. BACKGROUND • Women constitute 50.3% of Kenyan population • Our Gender concern is about Gender imbalance in Engineering- where are the women in this male dominated field? • This presentation is to • sensitize the conference participants on the Gap in Gender in engineering • Provide an overview on gender imbalance in engineering supported by statistics • Harness the opportunity to share this challenge and provide a paradigm shift through our collective action

6. Statistics In Kenya • Women constitute 50.3% of Kenyan population • Last year KSCE candidates ratio • 229,171 (55.65% ) boys: 159,380 (44.35%) girls • Last year KSCE results ratio C+ & above (25%) • 60,200 (61.98% ) boys: 36,934 (38.02%) girls • Male students: 63 points. Female students: 61 points. 42,000 qualify for university places in public universities • Minimum cut off for engineering B- ( Maths, Physics ,Chemistry)

7. Statistics In engineering • ENGINEERS REGISTRATION BOARD • INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS OF KENYA

8. GENDER IMBALANCE IN ENGINEERING • Statistics tell it all. Not only in Kenya but world wide concern • Girls are effectively ruling themselves out of a degree in Engineering by the Age of 14 • UK has the lowest proportion of female professionals in EU states • Factors causing Gender Imbalance include Education, Teachers Attitudes, career information, advice Source: UK Resource Centre’s analysis of the European Labour Force Survey (2007)

9. GENDER IMBALANCE IN ENGINEERING • A look at the Kenyan Context • Not much has been done as provided by statistics • UK has the lowest proportion of female professionals in EU states • Factors causing Gender Imbalance include Education, Teachers Attitudes, career information, advice

10. WHY GENDER IMBALANCE ? • Historical patterns of institutionalized gender discrimination play a key role • Low performance of girls in Maths, science & technical subjects hinders them from joining Engineering at University level •  Poor attitude amongst female students on science subjects •  Career decisions on subject choices made at an early age without students knowing the impact

11. WHY GENDER IMBALANCE ? • Engineering has relatively low standing in the country and therefore may not be attractive to women •  Lack of interest in science subjects ( Maths, Physics and Chemistry) by most female students •  Heavy responsibility yet low returns i.e. an architect would get 6% of the project cost and an engineer 3% yet when the project fails the Engineer is punished •  Advocacy agents missing to encourage women into the profession • Not much is being done to bridge the gap in Gender imbalance in Engineering at all levels

12. WHY GENDER IMBALANCE? • Lack of career counselor to guide them through the process • Also lack of female role models to demonstrate a successful career in Engineering. • Misconception that engineering is about spanners – there are soft component of engineering that are not known to the young and potential students

13. WHAT HAS BEEN DONE IN KENYA • Gender policy in Education 2007 • The new constitution of Kenya 2010 is a starting point • Several initiatives targeting women Scientist and Engineers are in place • WEGSA - Women Engineers and Girl Scientists in Africa initiative with UNESCO • YWSEAfrica – Young Women Scientists and Engineers in Africa by STEMAfrica: which provides role models for Young Women Engineers. It holds regular forums, provides information and sends women on attachment. • Career counseling student women Engineers

14. OPPORTUNITIES • Bottom up approach in advocacy for engineering. Advance the advocacy agenda by engaging Government, Educators and stakeholders • Mathematics is a compulsory subject. How can we make other science subjects attractive • Government available at partnership level to improve curriculum • Innovation and incentives to attract young female students into Engineering • Showcase more women Engineers to act as role models

15. OPPORTUNITIES • Environment provided by the new constitution of Kenya to be exploited. Implement the requirement of constitution of Kenya 2010 on Gender • Pilot projects to motivate female students at National Schools and Provincial schools into the Engineering field • Set up and effectively utilize mentoring programmes • Introduce Engineering Clubs in schools for Girls

16. OPPORTUNITIES • Strengthen of IEK and ERB Governance Structure to establish a committee on women advisory and advocacy in Engineering that will work towards encouraging women into the profession • Promote the diversity of engineering careers available • Experiences from other countries which have put in place strategies to address Gender imbalance in Engineering • Undertake attitudinal Research on the Kenyan Case

17. CLOSING THE GAP • Closing the Gap in Gender Imbalance in Engineering can be achieved through Multi- pronged approaches • IEK and ERB will require to put in place structures and set aside budget to facilitate redress of Gender imbalance in Engineering • Sensitize top decision makers • Enhance stakeholder sensitization & capacity Building to support women in Engineering • Ensure gender balance in appointments in governance & leadership • Implement affirmative action in provision of scholarships

18. CLOSING THE GAP • Closing the Gap in Gender Imbalance in Engineering can be achieved through Multi- pronged approaches • IEK and ERB will require to put in place structures and set aside budget to facilitate redress of Gender imbalance in Engineering • Together we can, it begins with me and continues with you. Let us contribute towards closing the Gap in Gender imbalance in Engineering.

19. THE END

20. Thank you… any questions or comments?