Sushmita Sapkota
General Member, SSTN
As a woman working in engineering, have you ever encountered gender bias in your workplace? Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for female engineers to feel that their suggestions or decisions are disregarded by colleagues, clients, contractors, or supervisors. Additionally, in some consultancies and projects, male civil engineers are preferred on sites due to easily being adjust to team member and more economical to blend in outer environment compared to their counterparts However, it is important to recognize that we are currently facing various crises such as housing, land space, climate, and more. In order to address these issues, we need diverse representation in fields such as science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Unfortunately, women are underrepresented in these fields, with less than 30% of engineering students worldwide being female and even lesser number of females working as an engineer.
The lack of female representation in STEM can be attributed to several factors such as social constraints, gender stereotypes regarding women’s abilities, seeing engineering field as a male profession, and a lack of a forward-thinking mindset. This lack of representation has resulted in problems such as gender-unfriendly infrastructures and utilities like water and sanitation. To address these issues, representation from every gender is necessary in decision-making roles. So that a holistic approach can be taken targeting all genders in these public infrastructures.
Another factor that is creating the problem to a women working in engineering field is our unrefined work ethics. It is very important to ensure that work ethics are compatible with all genders, it is necessary to revise our current work ethics and make everyone aware of them. Some principles that can be followed include providing equal opportunities for employees based on their abilities, promoting a zero-tolerance policy for harassment and discrimination, creating an inclusive work environment that promotes teamwork, and supporting work-life balance. By accommodating unique needs and obligations for every gender, we can promote physical, emotional, and biological well-being while also supporting family responsibilities, personal obligations, and health-related needs.
In Nepal, we can take various initiatives to support women in engineering, such as creating forums or societies to discuss women in engineering and related contexts, outreach programs to inspire young girls and women to consider engineering, and providing leadership training and mentorship opportunities. By addressing the barriers that prevent women from succeeding in engineering, we can provide the support and resources necessary to help them overcome discrimination and achieve their goals. We have come a long road in this field, we are protected by our laws and constitutional rights but there are still some aspects that are to be addressed sooner.
In conclusion, it is crucial to recognize and address gender bias in the workplace to ensure equal representation in STEM fields. It is an equal responsibility of other colleagues and also an employer to ensure that they are complying with law and promoting culture of equality and respect in a workplace. We must create an inclusive work culture that promotes teamwork, work-life balance, and equal opportunities for all genders. Additionally, initiatives such as outreach programs and leadership training can help support women in engineering and help us overcome the barriers that currently prevent us from achieving our full potential.