AWiB Presents The Art Of Working And Succeeding In Male Dominated Industries - 04.09.14

In the western nations, a non-traditional or male-dominated industry or occupation contains 25% or fewer women in total employment. In our nation, even though no formal study has been done, the figure could be much lower when we speak of professional women.

Male-dominated industries provide particular challenges for women’s advancement. Because male-dominated industries and occupations tend to be particularly susceptible to masculine stereotypes, women find excelling in these industries or occupations to be extremely challenging.

The evidence suggests that even females who start strongly are still being obstructed by harsh and patronizing workplace cultures, coupled with demands for career commitment that are incompatible with the domestic responsibilities. However, in our nation, today, few are making headways regardless of hardship and many challenges.

AWiB presents three ambitious and tenacious women-- Rahel Shawl, Meskerem Tamiru and Tegest Belayneh-- against all odds thriving in the construction industry.

Meskerem Tamiru is a practicing professional architect, Founder and Principal of her own consulting and trading PLC. After graduating in B.Sc. Architecture and Town Planning from the Addis Ababa University in 1993, she has worked for various organizations, served as a guest lecturer in AAU different campuses and a technical advisor to universities, real estate companies as well various foundations.

Rahel Shawl is an architect with B.Sc. in Architecture and Town Planning from the Addis Ababa University in 1991. She is the Founder and Principal of RAAS Architects PLC. Rahel has been the principal designer of several iconic buildings in Addis Ababa. She has worked as Architect of Record on buildings like the South African and the Australian Embassies, and the British Council in collaboration with International architects. She also mentors architecture students at Addis Ababa University. Rahel received Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2007 for her collaboration in the design of the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Tegest Belayneh is an architect with B.Sc. in Architecture and Town Planning from the Addis Ababa University, 1989. Tegest is the Founder and Manager of Neo Design Consulting Architect since 2004. She has worked in Ministry of Culture and Sports, Ministry of Construction and Urban Design, Municipality and private companies as an architect. She is married and has three children.

Their tales, when they started as young girls they were misconstrued as secretaries… they will share with us their funny stories of their professional journeys.

Join us for this extremely engaging and experience sharing event. Come to reflect and deflect; come to learn and as we mustn’t take life seriously to roar.