3 years after graduating with a diploma in Automotive Engineering, I am jobless. Unable to secure an internship or employment opportunities on the basis that I am a Woman!

Each year, TVET institutions in Kenya release over 500 young women with Automotive skills into the Market place. With this number of skilled women in the market place, 80% end up without access to internship and employment opportunities. With Women making up only 28% of the workforce in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math(STEM) with men vastly outnumbering women majoring in most STEM fields. They face constant pressure and resistance in the male dominated fields and with lack of employment opportunities, their Engineering dream is constantly at risk of dying.

I am Mercy Mwende, an automotive engineer who for the last few years has received several rejections in their quest for an internship opportunity. My dream to be a successful engineer has long been shattered by the lack of a space to practice the skills I gained in school. I am a representation of women in engineering, whose dreams have been shattered due to lack of opportunities.

I believe that the Engineering sector needs women in it, and therefore, by signing this petition, you support the dream of female automotive engineers in Kenya. Please Join me in calling for Toyota Kenya, Public Service Commission and Isuzu Kenya to increase internship and employment opportunities for women in Automotive Engineering by 30%.