Infrastructure is a crucial pillar for sustainable growth and plays a pivotal role in driving progress across African countries. On the other hand, despite their number in terms of population being high, women participation in infrastructure is relatively low in the sense of their participation in the workforce as CEOs, senior roles, mid-level roles, mid-level roles and junior roles in areas of construction, engineering, and transportation irrespective of e orts in promoting equality and equity as well as empowerment of women in infrastructure development.

While we acknowledge existence numerous barriers preventing women from meaningfully participating in the infrastructure sector, I also believe spirit of collaboration, coordination, and networking vigilance to reduce and eventually alleviate the barriers through varying efforts and initiatives such as this of Women in ASIM.

Women in ASIM aspires to build a future where women lead transformative change, shape inclusive communities, and drive sustainable infrastructure development across Africa. Twenty four (24) Women from nine (9) di erent countries; Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and spread in four (4) institutions of higher learning namely Universities of Johannesburg, University of Malawi, Covenant University and Ardhi University have resolved to work together to empower, and encourage women to participate in sustainable infrastructure development, through knowledge sharing and advocacy in the design, construction, and operation of infrastructure projects in Africa.

The ASIM initiative is its third year now, whereas Women in ASIM is in its infancy stage. There will be challenges to overcome along the way. However, no matter big the challenges will be, the Women in ASIM vision, mission and drive is our fortress and so we shall overcome; We must do so.

Through research, technology, and innovation and our passion for infrastructure let us commit ourselves to use our found knowledge, training and opportunities availed to us to reach women in our individual countries and connect the rest of Africa.

In our togetherness, built networks and partnerships and we can contribute to inform decision and policy makers, the public and fellow research community in Africa and the globe on the impact of the research we have done, networks we have built, the women we have mentored and impacted with our work. We should be able to look back then and pride in that, more so that to have women as leaders in infrastructure
crafting decision and policies, as CEOs, and as senior to middle level as well as junior level roles in infrastructure across the African continent.

The dream we are creating and building now is bigger than all of us, it is a worthwhile cause to make us persevere.

Let us build the Africa we want through women in ASIM .

Happy New Year!
Suma Mwaitenda QS(T). | President | Women in ASIM
January 2024