This global event serves as a platform to not only highlight the achievements of women engineers, but also to inspire the next generation to explore the broad and exciting opportunities within the profession. Through various events and campaigns, INWED aims to promote a sense of community and support for women in engineering, encouraging more girls and young women to envision themselves within the field.
Why INWED exists
INWED was established in 2014 by the Women’s Engineering Society to address the glaring gender disparity in engineering, a field historically dominated by men. Despite significant strides made over the years, women remain underrepresented in many engineering disciplines, with 2022 figures showing that only 12% of engineers in Ireland are women. This underrepresentation is not just a statistic, but a reflection of broader systemic issues that women face in entering and advancing within the profession. INWED serves as a powerful platform to raise awareness about the need for greater gender diversity and inclusion in engineering, pushing for systemic changes that will make the field more welcoming and equitable for everyone.
Breaking down stereotypes
By showcasing the achievements of women engineers, INWED aims to break down long-standing stereotypes, that suggest engineering is a male-dominated field. This is crucial in encouraging more women to consider engineering careers, and support women already in the field to advance. One of the key objectives of INWED is to inspire young women to pursue careers in engineering by providing them with tangible examples of what is possible. By showcasing successful women engineers who have made significant contributions to their fields, INWED aims to spark interest in young minds.
Enhanced By Engineering
This year’s theme for INWED24, ‘Enhanced By Engineering’ highlights the crucial role that women engineers play in enhancing people’s everyday lives and toward building a brighter future. From developing sustainable technologies to designing life-saving medical devices, women engineers are at the forefront of innovation. Their contributions have not only enhanced our quality of life but also paved the way for a more sustainable and equitable future. This theme underscores the diverse and impactful ways in which engineering affects our lives daily.
The WE50 awards
Each year, since 2016, the WES hosts the WE50 awards, which celebrate the achievements of women engineers across various disciplines. This year the awards will focus on women engineers who are engaged in safety and security, recognising those who #MakeSafetySeen. These amazing women work to keep us safe, wherever we are, whether at work or leisure, at home or online. The 2024 WE50 winners will be women who are protecting the public through their work, often unseen and unknown.
Challenges that remain
Despite the progress made, women in engineering still face numerous challenges, including gender bias, pay gaps, and lack of representation in leadership roles, which can make it difficult for women to enter, stay, or advance in the field. INWED is a time to acknowledge these issues and advocate for policies and practices that promote gender equality in the workplace. Supporting women engineers through mentorship, professional development, and inclusive workplace cultures is essential for creating an environment where everyone can succeed. By addressing these challenges, we can work towards a future where the engineering field is more inclusive, benefiting from the full range of talents and perspectives that women bring to the table.
Our engineers
At Climeaction, today and everyday, we are incredibly proud to have a strong team of women engineers working with us. The work that they do is vital to our success. They are at the forefront of the development of climate action strategies and implementing initiatives that align with national and global environmental goals, proving that gender diversity strengthens our ability to tackle complex challenges. Their work not only drives Climeaction forward, but also contributes to the global engineering community and the saving of our planet. This INWED, we proudly celebrate their invaluable contributions and the bright future that they are building.
A call to action
But, International Women in Engineering Day 2024 is not just a celebration, but a call to action. As we celebrate the women who have made significant contributions to engineering, we must also commit to creating a more inclusive and equitable field. By recognising and supporting the talents and achievements of women engineers, we can ensure that engineering continues to enhance our lives and build a brighter future. This INWED24, let us celebrate the theme ‘Enhanced By Engineering’ and work together to inspire, support, and empower the women who are shaping the world through engineering.
Ireland’s 2022 figures put women at 12% of engineers. Mentorship, professional development and inclusive workplace cultures are what move that number, not awareness alone.
