Repository: UIHistories Project: SWE - Proceedings of the First International Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists [PAGE 225]

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REPORT ON THE STATUS OF ENGINEERS AND SCIENTISTS by Mrs. Naomi J. McAfee Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Aerospace Division Ba11 imor e, Maryland

INTRODUCTION An attempt has been made to determine the number of engineers and scientists throughout the world and their relative professional status, and further to determine the percentage of women engineers and scientists and to evaluate their relative status within the engineering and scientific profession. To accomplish this, letters were sent to all of the countries which have diplomatic relations with the United States of America, requesting that they supply information on the numbers and status of engineers and scientists within their countries. Specific information was requested on the relative status of women engineers and scientists. This report, of necessity, will be a cursory review of the current status of engineers and scientists. For ease of grouping, the information is summarized by continent, and the primary emphasis is on women who for cultural, religious, or traditional reasons have only recently begun to practice extensively in the scientific and engineering fields: "We have by no means done enough to strengthen family life and, at the same time, to encourage women to make their full contribution as citizens... Women should not be considered a marginal group, to be employed periodically, only to be denied opportunity to satisfy their needs and aspirations when unemployment rises or war ends." President John F. Kennedy, December 1961. AFRICA To describe the status of engineers and scientists in the giant continent of Africa, which consists of approximately 35 countries, would appear to be very difficult because of the expected diversity of social, economic and political development. However, such is not the case, for in these rapidly developing countries there exists a serious shortage of qualified engineers and scientists. Hence, unemployment for such a qualified person is out of the question. In fact, in terms of salary, this group of professionals is among the continent's most highly rewarded employees. Until quite recently, engineering was considered to be a man's domain, even though there are some women doctors and science teachers. There are no known women engineers practicing in Africa, but to quote the Moroccan Commercial Attache "with the increasing number of engineering and science schools we hope to be able to deny this fact in a few more years".

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