SA women in engineering, infrastructure, innovation unite to develop and empower

It is often said that in order to beat the ‘enemy’ a united approach is required. This is exactly what Pinpoint Stewards aims to achieve with the gathering of phenomenal women in STEM at the 3rd Annual Women and Leadership in Engineering, Infrastructure and Innovation conference. The conference will be hosted on 28 and 29 February 2024 at the Hilton Hotel, Sandton in Johannesburg with the theme, “It’s DUE- Develop, Unite and Empower”. Co-owner and conference organiser at Pinpoint Stewards, Sudhira Sewsunker says, “We have seen numerous events take place on South African soil featuring a blend of national and international stakeholders. However, when it comes to diminishing challenges faced by women in STEM in the country, the solutions should be home-grown and who better than the brilliant businesswomen within South Africa to bring these to the fore. Our conference speakers have been selected across all levels of management to share the challenges they have overcome and the achievements made within their STEM careers. Eradicating challenges to enable more women an opportunity to enter these sectors is one of the focus areas addressed by an expert panel at the conference.” Bernice Swarts, deputy minister for the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure will be delivering the opening address on day one of the conference, showing the urgency for reform in the industry as well as sharing future opportunities available to women. Dr Mamoeletsi Mosia, representing the SA Agency for Science and Technology & NRF, will look to determining ways to change the current statistics. Giving an African perspective and discussing women in STEM will be the acting DG of Technology and Innovation at the National Department of Science and Innovation, Dr Rakeshnie Ramoutar-Prieschl. Eskom’s general manager for Research, Training and Development, Prudence Madiba, will address becoming an employer of choice for engineering, infrastructure and innovation professionals and how the industry can attract and retain their female workforce. Head of Sustainability Strategy at Sasol, Charvinia Naidu, will echo this theme, but from a private sector perspective. Sharing what Goldfields is doing to empower women in STEM from a micro perspective and looking at the bigger picture of encouraging more women to join the sectors will be Dr Adwoa Boaduo Issaka, unit manager Safety at the company. Project manager, Gladys Magagula and Sindisiwe Sono, Satellite Operations technician – representing the South African National Space Agency – will tailor their presentations to the role of project management in delivering infrastructure projects and will evaluate why women are given tasks or projects that enhance softer skills instead of getting into technical challenges, respectively. WiMSA chair, Raksha Naidoo and panellist Thabile Nkomo, MD, Tshepa Basadi will facilitate a panel covering the subject of “using charters, policies and frameworks to support equal opportunities for women”. The discussion will be central to the conference to ensure better insight into promoting women in STEM careers. Other organisations to also share the road ahead in these sectors include: SANRAL, AB-InBEV; Zutari; Pink Africa Consulting and Enel Green Power. Pinpoint Stewards says its aim is to connect stakeholders and encourage women to talk business – and the good news is, men are not excluded from these discussions. Pinpoint Stewards is encouraging major firms to show their support and “put their money where their mouths are” by noticing the contribution women have made in the workspace. Sewsunker notes, “At each conference Pinpoint Stewards sponsors 10 young professionals at university level to attend the conference and we introduce these students to our audience for job shadowing opportunities and mentorships. With the support of sponsors, we are able to include more young professionals in STEM careers.” Support local women-owned businesses by partnering, exhibiting or hosting a table! For more information and the full conference brochure and activities planned, contact [email protected] Source: Supplied by Pinpoint Stewards