The Unyielding Struggle of Women in Nigerian Engineering
In a society where 'What a man can do, a woman can do better' is a phrase often used to motivate women, the harsh reality is that this sentiment rarely translates into tangible opportunities. Despite the growing number of women in the corporate world, the numbers are still disheartening. Out of 109 seats in Nigeria's Senate, only four are occupied by women, and women continue to dominate low-paying sectors like childcare and teaching. According to a survey by the International Labour Organisation, women make up 70% of Nigeria's poorest residents, and women earn 20-30% less than men despite having equal qualifications.
In the male-dominated field of engineering, women are a rare breed. Esosa, a female engineer, shares her experiences of being one of the few women in a predominantly male space. Her story highlights the challenges women face in breaking into engineering, where for every one woman, there are three men. In her secondary school engineering class, she was the only girl, and university wasn't any better, with only three girls out of 83 students in her department.
The stigma and stereotypes that women face in engineering are not only exhausting but also demotivating. Esosa's experience of facing sex-for-benefits allegations and being labeled a 'diversity hire' due to her exceptional grades is a stark reminder of the challenges women face in a male-dominated industry.
The sex-for-benefits allegations faced by Esosa are a stark reminder of the pervasive sexism in Nigeria's corporate world. In a country where women like Funke Akindele and Genevieve Nnaji have broken barriers in Nollywood, it's disheartening to see women like Esosa facing such challenges in their careers. The imbalance in the engineering sector is not only a reflection of Nigeria's broader societal issues but also a missed opportunity for innovation and growth.
