South Africa’s manufacturing industry is a domain that is often perceived as male-dominated, where women face unique challenges entering and thriving. However, industrial and specialty gas manufacturer and supplier Air Products aims to confront the barriers that women encounter in the manufacturing space and enhance their strategies to overcome them.

Air Products GM for marketing Arthi Govender spoke to Engineering News on the sidelines of the Forbes Woman Africa Leading Women Summit, which took place on International Women’s Day on March 8, acknowledging the physically demanding nature of the manufacturing environment. However, she stressed the importance of looking beyond these initial apprehensions.

“Women’s resilience and adaptability is what enables them to excel in traditionally male-dominated fields,” she noted, citing her own experiences of overcoming challenges in her early career. Govender underscored the need for women to leverage their innate strengths, such as empathy, to overcome these barriers to entry for women.

While male dominance and the rugged nature of the industry may deter some women, Govender advocates for a mindset shift. She encourages aspiring female engineers to embrace the opportunity for growth and recognise their capacity to thrive in challenging environments. Moreover, Govender highlights the significance of understanding and connecting with colleagues, regardless of gender, to foster inclusivity and collaboration in the workplace.

Air Products recognises the importance of gender diversity and inclusion and implements proactive measures to support women in manufacturing roles. The company offers comprehensive learnerships and graduate programmes specifically tailored to empower female talent.

“Through targeted recruitment efforts and support initiatives, Air Products aims to cultivate a diverse workforce reflective of the broader community,” she notes.

Despite the strides made in promoting gender diversity, concerns persist regarding potential challenges faced by women in the manufacturing sector. Govender affirmed Air Products' commitment to maintaining a safe and inclusive work environment, through stringent policies and procedures, coupled with a strong organisational culture, which served as safeguards against any misconduct within the company.

She noted that the manufacturing sector presented obstacles for women, which proactive measures and cultural shifts proved essential in breaking down to foster inclusivity.

Through collective efforts and a commitment to diversity, companies such as Air Products are paving the way for women to thrive in traditionally male-dominated industries.

“As the industry evolves, embracing gender diversity not only benefits individual employees but also contributes to innovation and success on a broader scale,” she concluded.