For international women’s day, we’re highlighting the women at EAP and their work in driving gender equality.
Driving gender equality through infrastructure and engineering is essential to many women in EAP for why they do the work that they do. EAP has welcomed the opportunity to make the link between engineering and gender equality, including through this article.
Lauren Pemberton-Nelson, Communications Manager, shared that “Engineering with a gendered lens ensures that all aspects of what and the way we design, build and maintain works for everyone. It allows better outcomes for all. It’s exciting to work for an organisation like Engineers Against Poverty where we’re actively contributing to thinking about, and enhancing this capacity.
Melina San Martin, Senior Programme Manager conveyed that this is a large part of what drove her to the field. “I believe in the catalyst effect of engineering to improve people’s quality of life by providing solutions to complex issues, accelerating change, and create lasting, transformative impact. Social problems are networks of cause and effect, and engineers play a pivotal role in ensuring new developments and solutions respond to people’s needs, supporting spaces for divergent thinking and collective action.”
Maria Prado,Lead Research and Policy Adviser, linked infrastructure, engineering and equality, sharing that ‘Infrastructure is more than bricks and mortar, more than cement and the physical buildings that we see every day. It is about access to rights and granting opportunities to people.”
Thinking about their proudest moments working in the sector to drive gender equality, Lauren said: “In a sector where women are the minority, as a communications professional, I love that I’m able to showcase the work we do. I really enjoy communicating how our work drives gender equality, and that I’m actively contributing to an organisation that deeply cares about this area of work.”
Melina shared how advancing gender equality contributes to her motivations, sharing “To create sustainable, diverse and inclusive societies, all voices, backgrounds and perspectives need to be included in the decision-making about how we design, develop and dwell in our cities and countryside. The people, communities, and wonderful colleagues I have had the privilege to work with is something I’m very proud of. I want to play my part in helping unleash the power of engineering collaboration and sensemaking to drive inclusive and sustainable development.”
We are proud of EAP’s focus on gender equality, and we’ll continue to work on ensuring gender is a vital component and consideration in driving adequate, affordable and resilient infrastructure.