Research, Advocacy, and Women-Inclusive Innovation

Joining the International Women’s Day 2025: Enriching Women’s Path program challenged me to think more deeply about gender equity and representation within industrial and STEM spaces.

I entered the program with a question that had long stayed with me: why are women in industrial fields still expected to use equipment that was never designed with them in mind? What I did not expect was to find a team of women equally passionate about addressing that challenge.

As part of Team Amora, which placed third place during the teamwork challenge, we developed AMORA, short for “Armor Her”; a concept born from a real gap in the African market: the near-total absence of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) specifically designed for women’s bodies. Our idea aimed to improve safety, comfort, and functionality for women in industries such as engineering, geosciences, and construction. My contribution focused on research and market strategy, including identifying target users and exploring the broader market landscape for women-centered PPE solutions.

Winning third place reinforced my belief that collaboration rooted in shared purpose can produce powerful and meaningful ideas. More importantly, the experience strengthened my commitment to building solutions at the intersection of gender equity and industry, while reminding me to continuously advocate for women whose needs are often overlooked in professional spaces.