As Ghana joined the world to mark International Women in Engineering Day 2025 on Monday, June 23, a final-year Automotive Engineering student at Kumasi Technical University, Mrs. Monica Naya, is calling on young women to boldly pursue careers in engineering and break gender barriers in the field.
Speaking in an interview on A1 Radio, Mrs. Naya shared her inspiring journey into the traditionally male-dominated profession. She emphasized the importance of determination, mentorship, and equal opportunities for women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
According to her, the idea to venture into engineering came from her husband. Although she initially resisted due to having no prior background in the field, his encouragement led her to enroll in a technical school to build a strong foundation. She later advanced to the tertiary level to pursue her dream.
“My journey in the field began when my husband brought up the idea. Even though I kicked against it because I didn’t have any engineering background, he promised to enroll me in a technical school so I could gain the basic knowledge. Because I was ready to learn, I took advantage of the opportunity,” she said.
Now approaching graduation, Mrs. Naya expressed pride in how far she has come. Her journey, however, has not been without obstacles—particularly the challenge of gender bias in engineering spaces.
She described how some male colleagues find it difficult to accept female leadership, regardless of a woman’s competence. She also pointed to unequal opportunities in workshops and fieldwork, where women are often overlooked due to gender stereotypes or marital status.
“Gender bias is one of the key challenges. Sometimes, men don’t want to work under women—even when the woman is competent. It shouldn’t be that way. If a woman is doing well and a leadership opportunity arises, she should be given the chance to lead,” she said.
“There’s also inequality in fieldwork opportunities. Sometimes, because I’m a woman or married, I’m not given certain tasks—even though I’m capable.”
Despite these challenges, Mrs. Naya remains optimistic and passionate about her chosen career. She believes engineering is a fulfilling and vital field that more girls should explore, especially when given the right exposure and encouragement.
“To the young women out there who are considering engineering, they should not be afraid. They should be bold to take the risk. Seek mentorship, ask questions, and be ready to learn—both practically and theoretically. There are a lot of opportunities in this field, and if you’re determined, you can make it,” she encouraged.
Mrs. Naya’s story stands as a powerful example of resilience and inspiration for girls in Ghana and beyond, especially during this year’s global observance themed “Together, We Engineer.”
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Gifty Eyram Kudiabor|Bolgatanga
