How is engineering addressing SDG 5?
Naadiya Mossajee is a South African engineer, social entrepreneur and co-founder and director of WomEng, a non-profit organization that aims to empower and inspire one million girls through STEM education globally. With the Academy's GCRF Africa Catalyst programme, WomEng are working to strengthen the capacity of women in engineering bodies in sub-Saharan Africa through student outreach and leadership development.
More information: projects supported by the GCRF Africa Catalyst programme (Phase 2)
More information: projects supported by the GCRF Africa Catalyst programme (Phase 3)
Ian Mutamiri was shortlisted for the 2015 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation for Nativ, a software that he and his team developed to teach children how to read in Shona, a local language in Zimbabwe. Since being shortlisted, Ian has founded the Purple Future Trust, which promotes STEM education to girls, women and children from economically disadvantaged communities, through courses and the PEEK electronics and coding kit.
Diversity and inclusion, including gender equality, is a critical thread that runs throughout the Royal Academy of Engineering’s strategy. The overarching goal of all our global activities is to harness the power of engineering to build a sustainable society and an inclusive economy that works for everyone.
More information: Diversity and inclusion at the Royal Academy of Engineering
What is SDG 5?
Although there are more women than ever in the labour market, there are still large inequalities in some regions, with women systematically denied the same work rights as men. Sexual violence and exploitation, the unequal division of unpaid care and domestic work, and discrimination in public office all remain huge barriers. Climate change and disasters continue to have a disproportionate effect on women and children, as do conflict and migration.
This goal aims to end all discrimination against women and girls in order to create a sustainable future.
The Royal Academy of Engineering supports the Sustainable Development Goals.
SDG information taken from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) website.
