International Women in Engineering Day: Celebrating Talent in Engineering
Every year on June 23rd, the event known as International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) is celebrated: a day established to pay tribute to women working in the engineering sector and to inspire new generations of young women to pursue careers in science and technology.
It is not simply a symbolic occasion, but a truly global initiative that promotes the visibility of women engineers, addresses issues related to gender equality, and encourages collective reflection on the value of diversity in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
Why June 23rd?
The history of this day is rooted in the UK, where, on June 23rd, 2014, “Women in Engineering Day” was celebrated for the first time. The initiative was launched on the occasion of the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Women’s Engineering Society: an organization established in 1919 to counter the marginalization of women from the technical sector after World War I.
At that time, many women had demonstrated great skill by working in factories and laboratories during the war, but were quickly excluded once normalcy was restored. To commemorate the birth of that silent resistance against gender exclusion, June 23rd was chosen.
Over time, the initiative progressively acquired a more international dimension, until, in 2016, it gained significant recognition, especially from global organizations that worked in unison to promote its expansion.
Since 2017, it has officially become International Women in Engineering Day, encompassing events, projects, and campaigns all around the world, from Latin America to Asia, including Europe and Africa. The goal remains unchanged: to show how important women’s contributions to engineering are and to encourage others to follow the same path.
The Daily Challenges for Working Women
Despite the progress made, women representation in engineering remains a minority. Globally, women make up less than 20% of the engineering workforce, and in some countries, this percentage drops even below 10%. Even in contexts where access to higher education is guaranteed, the number of girls choosing university courses in engineering is significantly lower than that of their male peers. However, once they enter the profession, women prove to excel, achieving excellent results and holding key leadership positions.
Events and Initiatives for International Women in Engineering Day
For these reasons, INWED, in addition to celebrating the achievements of women already active in the field, also serves as a tool for change. On this day, conferences, workshops, educational events, and social media campaigns are organized to share women success stories and create role models for future generations. Companies are encouraged to:
- promote gender equity;
- improve hiring policies;
- ensure equal career opportunities;
- adopt mentoring strategies for young professionals.
In many countries, universities and high schools take advantage of the day to involve women students in hands-on engineering projects, offering workshops, guided tours, and meetings with professional engineers. These moments of direct contact represent a fundamental opportunity to break down stereotypes and demonstrate that passion for technology and innovation knows no gender.
The role of the media is equally crucial: sharing stories of women who have made a difference in engineering—from historical figures like Ada Lovelace and Emma Strada to contemporary leaders of major infrastructure projects or space missions—helps transform the public perception of the profession.
What makes International Women in Engineering Day so powerful is its ability to unite women from all over the world, from different cultures, backgrounds, and experiences, under a single banner. Civil, mechanical, aerospace, biomedical, computer engineering: the specific field doesn’t matter—what counts is telling a story of determination, talent, and vision for the future.
Unilab Joins the INWED Celebrations
At Unilab (a company engaged in developing software for thermotechnics), women excellence finds a concrete representation in the figures of Valeria Guidi and Atousa Ataieyan: two professionals who fully embody the spirit of International Women in Engineering Day.
Valeria Guidi, thermotechnical engineer and Head of Program Management, has been an integral part of the team since 2012. With a solid technical background and strong analytical skills, she has established herself also through her leadership and mentoring abilities. Her hands-on approach to problem-solving, combined with her constant commitment to innovation and quality, makes her a point of reference in the design and development of software solutions for the company’s international clients.
Alongside her, Atousa Ataieyan, a hydraulic engineer who joined the Unilab team in 2023, brings valuable contributions thanks to her academic experience and international background. A passionate researcher and creative mind, she stands out for her ability to combine scientific rigor with technical intuition—elements that have had a tangible impact on several innovation-driven projects. Her collaborative spirit enriches the team dynamic and reflects the value of diversity in today’s engineering environments.
These concrete examples truly demonstrate how women talent—when and if valued—represents a fundamental resource for the technological and cultural progress of any organization.
