ZiMining Editor Thomas Chidamba spoke with Engineer Chiedza Chigombe, President of the Iron and Steel Engineering Association of Zimbabwe (ISEAZ), about her journey in a male-dominated field and the challenges facing women in engineering.
TC: Who is Eng. Chigombe?
Eng CC: I’m Chiedza Chigombe, a businessperson, and entrepreneur with an Executive Master’s degree in business administration from Midlands State University. I co-founded and manage Kubota Engineering, specialising in metallurgical and mechanical engineering.
TC: What first attracted you to engineering?
Eng CC: My husband, an engineer by profession, heavily influenced me. I also had a desire to venture into a male-dominated business environment.
TC: How long did it take you to get into engineering?
Eng CC: I entered the field after meeting my spouse in 1999. We established our own engineering company in 2008.
TC: What percentage of Zimbabwean women are in engineering?
Eng CC: A recent study showed that the average level of female employment in Zimbabwe’s engineering, iron and steel sector is about 12%, revealing a significant gender imbalance.
The subsectors with notable female employment are:
- Electrical engineered goods (39%)
- Electrical engineering services (22%)
- Mining and heavy machinery (15%)
TC: Why are there fewer women engineers compared to other disciplines?
Eng CC: Cultural factors affect women and girls when deciding to become engineers. There’s also inherent bias in the field against women, which reduces the number who enter and stay in engineering.
TC: What challenges do women in engineering face?
Eng CC: Women often encounter a glass ceiling in their careers. They may notice:
- More men in top ranks
- Men getting better projects
- Being branded as ‘difficult’ for behaviour overlooked in men
- Less qualified men being promoted over them
- Sexual harassment or sexist behaviour
Some women power through, while others look for non-engineering paths or leave the field altogether.
TC: How do you deal with stereotypes?
Eng CC: I develop empathy for others, educate myself about different cultures and groups, and continually self-assess our stereotypes to understand how they interfere with our interactions.
TC: What advice would you give to young women aspiring to be engineers?
Eng CC: Start with the end in mind. Establish clear dreams, and nothing will stop you from achieving your goals and vision.
TC: Why should women consider engineering?
Eng CC: Engineering is broad, offering opportunities in mining, mechanical, automotive, electrical, and agricultural fields. Women in engineering are now highly sought after by employers, providing opportunities for flourishing and rewarding careers.
TC: Tell us about ISEAZ.
Eng CC: ISEAZ, formed in 1937, represents and promotes employers’ interests in the engineering, iron and steel sector. We serve over 100 members across various engineering disciplines and aim to be a recognised leader in sustainable production and supply of value-added iron and steel products and engineering services.
TC: What impact is ISEAZ making in the sector?
Eng CC: ISEAZ provides a platform for businesses to collaborate on common challenges, enhancing competitiveness and economic development. We contribute to economic growth by:
- Championing innovation
- Advocating for favourable business conditions
- Creating new business opportunities
- Supporting national aspirations like Vision 2030 and NDS1
TC: How is the Association working toward achieving SDG4 and SDG5?
Eng CC: We support SDG4 through our sector strategy for 2023-2026, focusing on human capital development. For SDG5, we promote equality in leadership positions and believe in providing women equal access to leadership roles and representation in economic decision-making.
TC: What does Dinson Iron and Steel Company’s production mean for the sector?
Eng CC: It signifies increased capacity utilisation in primary steel production and foundries. The plant will create over 3,000 direct jobs and produce an estimated 600,000 tonnes of steel in its first phase, contributing to our sector’s vision of creating 50,000 jobs by 2026 and generating $6 billion in annual sales revenue.
TC: What is your take on PPE issues for women in the mining industry?
Eng CC: Ill-fitting PPE for women is both uncomfortable and a safety hazard. Mines need to provide protective clothing that fits women of different shapes and sizes. I encourage all organisations to implement policies addressing sexual harassment, in line with Section 8(h) of the Labour Act [Chapter 28:01].
