“You strike a woman you strike a rock!” This well-known slogan, deeply etched in South Africa’s rich lexicon of resistance, expresses courage and strength.
They were solidified and clearly expressed during the activities of the Women in Engineering Ted Talk/conference presented by the Atlantis Special Economic Zone in collaboration with the West Coast TVET College, held on 23 August 2022 at Kerria Primary School.
“The purpose of this conference is to bring awareness and recognition of the outstanding and continuous contribution of women in engineering, Greentech, and artisanal careers,” said Jean Baardman, Marketing Manager at the College, “the challenges women face in these careers, how to overcome them, and how to access further opportunities in advancing their careers in the engineering and the Greentech sectors.
A jam-packed programme of transformational education, motivation, encouragement, slam poetry and choral music was presented to the female engineering and artisanal students of West Coast College and Grade 7 girls of Kerria Primary.
The message from the distinguished women speakers was “take control of your own narrative”, said Baardman, “despite the challenges faced by women and girl children in contemporary society to lead successful, independent, and fulfilling lives.” He said having the Grade 7 girls of Kerria Primary there was an opportunity to raise awareness and inspire the young into boosting the profile of women in such fields as engineering and the Greentech sector, and focus attention on possible exciting future career opportunities in them.
Baartman said West Coast College will continue to inform, educate, build and strengthen relationships through such events as the Women in Engineering TedTalk conference.
