ICWES15 - An Opportunity for Change. Presented by Angela E Hili, AUST
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An Opportunity for Change A Look at changing leadership opportunities for young women in Engineering. Angela Hili
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Transcript of ICWES15 - An Opportunity for Change. Presented by Angela E Hili, AUST
An Opportunity for Change
A Look at changing leadership opportunities for young women in Engineering.
Angela Hili
IntroductionDisparity in number of female
Engineers in senior positionIngrained male culture
“If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together”
Looking BackAustralian legislation
◦1950 – basic female wage 75% of the basic male wage
◦Until 1966 married women couldn’t be a permanent employee of the federal public service
◦1986 – Affirmative Action Act was passed
◦1996 – Federal Workplace Relations Act was passed
Looking BackCareer Review of Engineering
Women (CREW) survey – 2002◦36% women experienced
discrimination◦25% were sexually harassed◦Altogether 50% of the female
respondents had experienced sexual harassment and/or discrimination
1943 Transportation Magazine
1. Pick young married women2. When using older women, use
ones that have previously worked outside the home
3. Husky girls are more even tempered and efficient
4. Give each girl a “special women's physical examination”
5. Stress that a minute here or there adds up
1943 Transportation Magazine
6. Give women a day long schedule of duties
7. Let them change tasks8. Give girls an adequate number of
rest periods to fix their hair and reapply lipstick
9. Be tactful when issuing instructions or making criticism
10.Be tactful about strong language11.Get enough size variety in uniforms
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) in the US
Conducted profiles of women engineers between 1963 and 1981
“The beginner of today faces an exceptionally bright future, and we believe with certainty, that there is every reason to encourage her in the preparation for and pursuit of a career in engineering or the related sciences”
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) in the US
Advice for encouraging young female Engineers:◦Never cease to challenge yourself to
greater knowledge and competences. Join the pursuit of excellence!
◦Most women engineers marry and raise happy active families
◦The friendship of other professional women contemporaries are the most valuable
Engineers Australia Membership Statistics
1980 1990 2000 20090%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
14%
16%
18%
Fellow (FIEAust)Member (MIEAust)Graduate (GradIEAust)Student Engineers
Year
% F
em
ale
Engin
eers
Women are different from Men
Woman: Honey, why don’t we stop and ask for directions?
Man: I don’t need to ask for directions! I know
exactly where I am going...
The ProblemsDiscrimination and HarassmentEqual pay for equal workEngineering is a “boys club”Women need to assimilate into
the male culture to succeedLack of opportunities for
interesting work and promotionLosing women from the industry!
The SolutionsChange organisational cultureFlexible family friendly work
arrangementsTransparency and communicationThe 30% solutionA woman in every poolRole Models
RecommendationsLoyalty and trustCorporate environmentFind qualified womenIntroduce “a woman in every
pool”Flexible work conditionsMaternity/Paternity StrategiesRole Models, Mentors and
Coaches
Conclusion
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Margeret Mead
