The Order of Engineers, Portugal (Ordem dos Engenheiros) hosted the Encuentro Iberoamericano de Mujeres Ingenieras, Arquitectas y Agrimensoras (EIMIAA, Association of Ibero-American Women Engineers Architects and Surveyors) conference at the the National Institute of Civil Engineering (LNEC – Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil) in Lisbon, Portugal, for the first time in Europe, from 18 to 21 November 2024.
EIMIAA is a non-governmental, non-profit organization officially registered in the Dominican Republic. It brings together women engineers, architects, surveyors, and professionals from related fields across Ibero-America, with member organisations in 23 countries. Since its foundation, EIMIAA has been dedicated to promoting women’s professional practice without borders.
The first meeting was held in Cuba in 1994 in Varadero, Matanzas, as part of the Salón Internacional de Arquitectura e Ingeniería organized by the Unión de Arquitectos e Ingenieros de la Construcción de Cuba (UNAICC). Under the leadership of the President of EIMIAA Ing. Kathy Kury, the organization continues to promote female participation in technical fields, strengthening international collaborations and fostering inclusion.
UNAICC delegation (Cuba), founding member of EIMIAA, together with the 2024 WFEO GREE Women in Engineering Award Laureate Ms. Dolores de la Concepción Lahaba Estrada.
On its XVI session, this extraordinary event brought together high-level professionals in the fields of engineering, architecture, surveying, and agriculture. Organized in collaboration with the Orden dos Engenheiros de Portugal (OdE), it marked a historic moment for strengthening the professional network of women and promoting diversity and inclusion in technical fields.
A special invitation and significant participation
Ms Ania Lopez attended EIMIAA as Executive Vice President of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) at the invitation of the Vice President of OdE, Lidia Santiago. This meeting not only provided a platform for exchanging ideas and best practices among professionals from various countries but also strengthened the ties between organizations that promote women’s leadership in technical fields.
Lidia Santiago (Vice President OdE, Portugal), Marlene Kanga (WFEO President 2017–2019), Dra. Maria João Pereira (Secretary of State for Energy), Ania Lopez (WFEO Executive Vice President).
A rich and inspiring program
During the event, crucial topics for the future of technical professions were addressed. These included sustainability challenges, the role of women in technological and environmental transitions, and strategies to overcome gender barriers still present in many professional contexts. EIMIAA hosted interactive sessions with presentations of highly scientific and technological papers and technical visits, enabling participants to share experiences, visions, and innovative projects.
A particularly significant moment was the keynote lecture by Eng. Marlene Kanga, WFEO President (2017–2019), who provided an inspiring vision of the role of women in technical professions.
Marlene Kanga (WFEO President 2017–2019) during the EIMIAA keynote lecture, alongside Lidia Santiago (OdE Vice President, Portugal).
WFEO’s role
Ms Ania Lopez, as a WFEO representative, participated in the forum “¿Qué se está haciendo en los países iberoamericanos para aumentar el número de ingenieras y arquitectas en el ámbito de la equidad?” Moderated by Lidia Santiago, the forum included prominent representatives from the Ibero-American engineering community, such as:
- the President of the Unión Mexicana de Asociaciones de Ingenieros (UNAI), Eng. Marco Antonio Méndez Cuevas;
- the former UPADI President Maria Teresa Dalenz Zapata;
- representatives of various Institutes of Engineering from Spain;
- the President of the Colegio Federado de Ingenieros y Arquitectos de Costa Rica (CFIA), Rita Maria Arce Láscarez;
- the representative of the Sociedad Colombiana de Ingenieros, Ruben Dario, among other distinguished professionals.
Forum with representatives of Ibero-American countries on concrete actions to advance gender equality.
The forum was an invaluable opportunity to emphasize the importance of women engineers in building a more sustainable and inclusive world. Ms Ania Lopez presented the Italian project Ingenio al Femminile, an initiative by the National Council of Engineers (CNI) that was by ms Lopez as the first and only woman in the XVIII and XIX legislatures of CNI. This project aims to highlight the role of women engineers in a traditionally male-dominated field.
WFEO Executive Vice President Ms Ania Lopez, during the forum on gender equality: the Italian best practice.
Ms Lopez also highlighted WFEO’s efforts to promote gender diversity globally, sharing initiatives such as the Gender Balance project among national member representatives. This project culminated in a recent vote establishing a fixed representation of women among candidates, a concrete step toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal No. 5: Gender Equality.
Conclusions and future perspectives
EIMIAA was a highly successful event, laying the groundwork for further collaboration between Ibero-American and European organizations. The participation of professionals demonstrated a strong determination to transform technical sectors into increasingly inclusive and innovative fields. This meeting also represented an important opportunity to increase the number of members within the large WFEO family, including potential new international and national members such as EIMIAA, the Dominican Republic, and El Salvador.
Delegates of the XVI EIMIAA in Lisbon, Portugal, with the participation of more than 22 associations and federated colleges.
An initiative to remember
EIMIAA is not just an event; it is a symbol of progress and collaboration. Through the sharing of experiences, the building of relationships, and the promotion of women’s leadership, it has taken a step forward toward a fairer and more sustainable future for all. The meeting was attended by 22 associations and engineering colleges with female representation.
Report by Ania Lopez, Executive-Vice President of WFEO
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DEC
2024