FEATURED - ‘Raising the roof’: Women breaking biases in construction sector

In the traditionally male-dominated construction industry, women have long been underrepresented. However, recent years have seen a remarkable shift, with more women stepping into roles once deemed exclusively for men. ALSO READ: Who are Rwanda's leading women in engineering? Mr Roof, a local company specialising in roofing products and installations — on the occasion of Women’s Month — has been spotlighting the stories of women who are making significant strides in engineering and design fields, challenging stereotypes, and paving the way for a more inclusive field. Through the “Women Raising the Roof” campaign, Mr Roof aimed to testify to the changing landscape of the construction sector in the country. ALSO READ: Celebrating women engineers’ role in Rwanda’s development Fatima Soleman, CEO of Mr Roof, encapsulated the essence of this transformation, emphasising that women are no longer confined by outdated norms. She said, “From designing innovative buildings that shape our cities to managing very complex projects with precision and expertise, women are at the forefront of driving the construction industry. We are breaking barriers, shattering stereotypes, and beyond everything, we are proving that there’s no limit to what we can achieve.” ALSO READ: Career women urge girls to push past comfort zone, be leaders in business By sharing these stories, we aim to not only inspire the next generation of female leaders but also accompany them into building a more inclusive future for us all, she continued. Leading by example ALSO READ: Empowering women leaders for ongoing change Paula Musoni, Head of Real Estate at RSSB, one of the seasoned engineers who shared their stories, echoed the same sentiments. She recounted, “In this industry, I’ve unfortunately faced gender stereotypes repeatedly. One common being initially mistaken as an assistant or being asked to fetch coffee in meetings before they realise I’m the lead engineer.” ALSO READ: Leading women in Rwanda’s banking sector Musoni has a Master’s in Civil and Structural Engineering from the University of Leeds and has designed superstructures and oversaw complex regeneration sites in London during her career. “There is no limit to the potential of women; young girls should dream big and reach for the skies,” she called. For Lise Katangulia Isaro, Design Lead at Atelier Design Academy and founder of the African Female Architects, to increase the presentation of women in male-dominated fields, such as construction, there’s a need for more female mentors and role models. Isaro, who holds a Bachelor’s degree from Southeast University, China, cited herself as an example of being elevated by male colleagues and mentors but believes more impact would be made by women inspiring each other as well. Despite the progress made, Cynthia Musanganire, a site engineer at Mr Roof, hinted at the work that remains to be done. She explained, “Back in school, women constituted only 10 per cent of the total classroom population. But now, I’m pleased to see a significant increase in the number of women entering the construction industry, which I believe reflects progress. However, there is still a long way to go to bridge the gap.” Musanganire, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from UR University of Science and Technology, went on to say that women should believe in themselves first and foremost, and that “the rest will follow.” The interviews with some of the most accomplished women in the field, shared on both The New Times and Mr Roof's social platforms, aimed to inform viewers about gender diversity in construction, presenting data and real-life stories to deepen understanding of women’s experiences, challenges, opportunities, and successes in the industry.

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FEATURED - ‘Raising the roof’: Women breaking biases in construction sector