“I was the first female graduate in industrial engineering at UP – BEng (Industrial) cum laude. I then obtained an MBA from the Graduate School of Management at UP. I subsequently obtained a PhD in Industrial Engineering from UP; I was the first woman to obtain a PhD in industrial engineering in South Africa,” says Prof Susan Adendorff, Director of Department of Facilities Management.

On 11 February the world will be celebrating an International Day of Women and Girls in Science. It is prevalent in almost all workplaces’ women are not only underrepresented but they are underappreciated. This is also the case within science. There are, however, a significant number of women in science making major inroads in the traditionally male-dominated discipline. Without diminishing the ground-breaking achievements of women throughout the history of science, it's time to appreciate those taking great strides forward in the world of democracy. Women have gotten more freedom to express themselves and take an active part in the development of technologies, despite the fact that there are still problems in this field. People realise that gender equality is one of the components of healthy society and true development is impossible without it.

Why should women be considered in science and technology?

Women have a role to play in all spheres of life. Gender does not make a difference in the contributions made. Therefore, being a female in an engineering environment should not be different to being a female in any other environment.

How do women succeed in technology or why is there a lack of women in tech?

Traditionally, young girls are not encouraged to consider science/technology as suitable career paths. I believe this has changed significantly over the last two decades – you see more women for example studying medicine or engineering. Having female role models in these fields helps young girls visualising a future in science/technology. Acting as a mentor for young girls interested in studying engineering has been part of my life ever since I graduated in the early 1980s.

What are the challenges women face in science and technology?

I have never experienced the fact that I am a female in a male-oriented environment as a challenge. However, I think women have to work harder at proving themselves in these “non-traditional” work environments.

What is the contribution of women in science?

Women have been contributing to science as far back as Marie Curie becoming the first female to win the Nobel prize for physics in 1903. She won a second Nobel prize for Chemistry in 1911 – the only woman to have won two Nobel prizes. Her daughter also won the Nobel prize for Chemistry in 1935. So, women have been contributing for a very long time.

Which gender is better at technology and why?

Again, as I said before, I do not believe gender makes a difference in your contribution to technology or science. It has much more to do with dedication and commitment to excel in your chosen career path.