Women in construction form new association

Women in construction industry are determined to build and support each other to excel in their businesses through mentorship and training.

This group of women formed an association dubbed Botswana Women in Construction (BOWICO) with an aim to facilitate networking and mentorship platform in the industry. BOWICO Chairperson, Matshediso Moile said as the few women in the construction industry, they decided to establish an association which will create a platform for other women who are employees in the construction industry and those operating construction businesses .

“We are working in the construction industry so we have realised that there are lot of gaps which need to be closed in this field. Yes government is supporting women and promoting gender balancing in the job market but there is still a lot that should be done to improve women participation in building the country.”

BOWICO was established in 2019 but started operating in 2021 and currently has 181 members from various construction fields, including bricklayers, electricians, quantity surveyors, civil engineers, architects, carpenters, painters among others. This includes government and private employees as well as entrepreneurs. The association is expected to enable members to come up with solid and specialised courses to train new entrants and teach young girls in the industry.

She said BOWICO aims to bring women together and speak with one voice.

”There is lack of industry support because when you enter the industry there is no one that we could look up to for mentorship and guidance so as BOWICO, we are going to address this issue by mentorship[p, networking and scheduled trainings.'

Moile also highlighted that there is a need for society to change cultural and social norms that perceive engineering spaces as male. She said this would enable women and girls to feel welcome and be comfortable in the field. “A girl child needs to be exposed to the engineering environment and be affirmed for the need for her presence.”