Aviation needs more women

The outbreak of Covid-19 has impacted many government priorities, and the agenda on women’s empowerment has also been affected.

To right this, South African Civil Aviation Authority hosted the third instalment of the National Aviation Gender Summit on August 19 at Gallagher Convention Centre under the theme inspire, connect, and ideate.

The event offered a platform for women aviation professionals to reconnect with one another while sharing ideas to advance the industry. It also aimed at creating a platform that fostered women’s participation in the aviation sector and drawing attention to the challenges that women faced when working in the industry.

The summit featured speakers such as the director of civil aviation Poppy Khoza, CEO of the Airports Company South Africa Nompumelelo Mpofu, CEO of the Air Traffic and Navigation Services Nozipho Mdawa, and the deputy minister of transport Sindisiwe Chikunga among other speakers and panellists.
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Mpofu said the growth of the aviation industry, which has such an important part to play in the socio-economic welfare of the country, could only benefit by increasing the number of women in every part of the air transport spectrum.

Chikunga delivered the keynote address at the summit, highlighting the need to act against all forms of discrimination against women in aviation.

She emphasised the need to ensure women’s full and effective participation in the industry, including equal opportunities in leadership and all levels of decision-making.

“It is really befitting to share this day with women in the transport sector, especially women in aviation during the commemoration and celebration of the positive strides we have made in the journey of socio-economic emancipation of women in our country.

“This gathering is one of many critical platforms that provides an avenue to reverse the declining trends of employment and the slowing down of progress that we have worked so hard to achieve,” said Chikunga.

According to her, another important factor for the future of women in aviation was inevitably their ability to access the world of technology and science through the Stem (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects.

“Building on the basis of career awareness and the choice of school subjects, naturally we need to give aviators the opportunity to enter the aviation market, once they are trained.”

Chikunga concluded by encouraging women who have a dream to become aviators, to discuss their hopes and dreams with other women who have carved similar careers for themselves.

Related Article:

https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/308632/npo-open-to-more-volunteers/