International Women in Engineering Day 2025

International Women in Engineering Day 2025

June 23, 2025 is International Women in Engineering Day (INWED). Kirsty Whitty, our Talent Delivery Manager, looks at the history of the day and what we can expect this year. 

With a proud heritage in engineering recruitment EMBS are keenly aware of the critical role a diverse workforce plays in driving innovation and progress within the engineering sector. 

This year marks the 12th anniversary of INWED, spearheaded by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES). The theme, #TogetherWeEngineer, perfectly encapsulates the collaborative spirit we need to build a more inclusive future.

INWED is a vital global platform dedicated to celebrating the remarkable achievements of women engineers. The day provides much-needed visibility to a demographic that, despite its immense talent and contribution, remains significantly under-represented. 

While progress is being made, figures still highlight the gender imbalance. For instance, the UK saw only 16.5% women engineers in 2021. More recent data from EngineeringUK’s May 2024 update indicates that females comprise 15.7% of the overall engineering and technology workforce.

The journey of INWED itself speaks to the growing recognition of this crucial issue. What began as a national campaign in the UK in 2014, launched by WES to commemorate its 95th anniversary, rapidly gained momentum. Its profound impact led to UNESCO patronage in 2016, and by 2017, the “National” became “International,” solidifying its global reach and importance. This organic growth underscores the universal need to acknowledge and encourage women in engineering.

While the overall figures show a persistent gap, there are encouraging signs of positive change. EngineeringUK’s May 2024 update revealed a welcome increase of 22,000 women aged 16 to 34 working in engineering occupations in 2023 compared to 2022. 

Furthermore, UCAS 2023 admissions data highlights a significant shift at the educational level. Near a fifth (19%) of engineering and technology degree programme applicants are female – a 17% rise. These statistics demonstrate that more young women and girls are indeed choosing to pursue engineering careers, a testament to the ongoing efforts of various organisations.

However, the same report also points to a challenge. 66,000 fewer women aged 35 to 64 are working in engineering, indicating a need to address retention and career progression for experienced female engineers.

The drive for more women in engineering isn’t simply a matter of equality. It’s a strategic imperative. Diverse teams unlock a broader spectrum of perspectives, problem-solving approaches, and innovative ideas. In turn, this leads to more robust and creative solutions for our industry. By championing gender diversity, we’re not just rectifying a historical imbalance—we’re future-proofing the engineering sector, ensuring we have the widest possible talent pool to tackle tomorrow’s complex challenges.

This International Women in Engineering Day, let’s celebrate the incredible impact of women engineers. Let’s also recommit to empowering every aspiring female engineer to achieve her full potential.