By Abubakar Yunusa
The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) has called on the government at various levels to formulate and implement policies that would empower women in the country, given their vital role in economic development.
The President of the Association, Dr. Elizabeth Jumoke Eterigho, stated this in Abuja during a media briefing ahead of the 2023 international and 40th Anniversary of APWEN, with the theme for this year’s international conference being “Our Voice, Our Strength, and Our Future.”
According to Dr. Eterigho, women are underrepresented in leadership and decision-making, particularly in political and public corporate spaces, describing it as a major setback for women, especially in developing countries like Nigeria.
The President of APWEN explained that APWEN has made a positive impact on the growth of society, noting that participants and stakeholders at the conference are expected to interact and discuss matters of mutual interest relating to women in engineering, with a view to deepening their participation for a sustainable future.
While speaking on the this year conference, she explained, “At this conference, we have come together to celebrate the power of our voice, the strength within us, and the limitless potential of our future in the world of engineering.
“Today, we stand on the precipice of innovation, and our voice is the driving force behind the progress we seek to make.
“In a world where engineering, which is the bedrock of innovation and technology, is pertinent, it is imperative that female engineers recognize the immense power that resides within us.
“Our voices are not mere utterances; they are instruments of change, catalysts for progress, and agents of empowerment.
“When we harness the full potential of our voice, we unlock a wellspring of strength that propels us toward a future of boundless opportunities for development and professional progress.
“As women, we have an inherent resilience that has been tested through the annals of time. It is good to know that as women engineers, we carry within us an unwavering determination to overcome challenges, surmount obstacles, and redefine what it means to be strong.”
The President said, “Our strength is not solely physical; it is intellectual, emotional, and spiritual. It’s the strength to nurture ideas, designs resulting in deliverables, to inspire, and to lead.”
