Candi Colbourn
Events and Marketing, Women’s Engineering Society
Now in its 10th year, INWED showcases engineering’s broad and highlights engineers’ invaluable contributions to improving lives.
The Women’s Engineering Society (WES) have a vision of an engineering industry that employs the diversity of the society it serves, to solve the biggest societal issues of our time. This is why the theme of Enhanced by Engineering was chosen for International Women in Engineering Day 2024 (INWED).
Engineering offers varied opportunities
Through ‘Enhanced by Engineering,’ INWED aims to demonstrate that engineering offers diverse and rewarding opportunities for individuals with varied interests, talents and backgrounds. The theme emphasises that engineering is pervasive in almost every aspect of modern life from communications and transport to creating life-saving medical equipment.
Diversity of thought is a
cornerstone of innovation.
Diversity drives innovation
Diversity of thought is a cornerstone of innovation; this is key within the engineering world. Problem-solving benefits from having a range of perspectives; women may approach problems differently than their male counterparts, leading to alternative solutions that might not have been considered otherwise. This diversity in problem-solving approaches can lead to breakthroughs such as wheels on a suitcase or even the three-pin plug created by WES founder Caroline Haslett.
This kind of problem-solving was evident within the Electrical Association of Women Engineers founded 100 years ago. The organisation informed, educated and encouraged all women to use electricity to improve their lives. This organisation brought engineers and housewives together, acting as a liaison between the technical engineers who didn’t understand what women wanted and the housewives who knew what they needed to improve their lives. It is this diversity that creates innovation.
Increasing visibility inspires future engineers
Increasing the visibility of women in engineering serves as inspiration for future generations of engineers, regardless of gender. By showcasing diverse role models who have made significant contributions to the field, WES encourages more young women to pursue careers in engineering. Increasing the representation of women in engineering is not only a matter of equity and social justice but also a strategic imperative for driving innovation, meeting the needs of diverse stakeholders. INWED goes some way to hopefully ensuring the long-term success of the engineering profession.
