Mercy Mwende Nguvu Change Leader: PHOTO[COURTESY]
In the bustling workshops and gleaming showrooms of Kenya’s automotive industry, a quiet revolution is brewing. At its helm stands Mercy Mwende, a young automotive engineer and a Nguvu Change leader whose personal journey has become a rallying cry for gender equality in one of the most male-dominated sectors in the country.
Mercy’s path to becoming an advocate for women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) began in 2018, in a classroom that would shape her future in ways she never anticipated. “I joined an automotive class in early 2019, a class of 50 people which was male-dominated,” Mercy recalls. The absence of female peers was stark, and the message she received was even starker: “I was told that the course was not meant for women.”
But where others saw barriers, Mercy saw an opportunity. “My curiosity drove me to pursue automotive engineering,” she says. “I wanted to understand how cars work.”
However, Mercy’s journey from a curious student to a skilled engineer was far from smooth. After graduating with a diploma in Automotive Engineering, she faced a harsh reality that many women in STEM fields encounter: “Three years after graduating, I am jobless. Unable to secure an internship or employment opportunities on the basis that I am a woman!”
The statistics Mercy cites are sobering. According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in 2023, women make up only 28% of the STEM workforce. In Kenya’s automotive sector, the picture is even bleaker. “Each year, TVET institutions in Kenya release over 500 young women with Automotive skills into the marketplace,” Mercy explains. “With this number of skilled women in the marketplace, 80% end up without access to internship and employment opportunities.”
These numbers aren’t just statistics for Mercy; they represent shattered dreams and untapped potential. “I am a representation of women in engineering, whose dreams have been shattered due to lack of opportunities,” she says.
But Mercy Mwende is not one to accept defeat. Instead, she’s channeling her experiences into a powerful advocacy campaign. Her petition, targeting key players such as Toyota Kenya, the Public Service Commission, and Isuzu Kenya, calls for a 30% increase in internship and employment opportunities for women in Automotive Engineering.
“They are at the forefront of decision-making in the automotive industry,” Mercy explains her choice of targets. “They have a lot of influence in decision-making.”
Mercy’s vision extends beyond just increasing numbers. She sees a future where women not only enter the field but thrive in it. “If we succeed, we’ll reduce the rate of unemployment,” she says. “More women will take up engineering and mentorship. It provides a platform to actualize the 50% rule.”
Her advocacy work has opened doors and expanded her network, but it hasn’t been without its challenges. “Advocacy does take a lot from you,” Mercy admits. She’s even faced rejection from unexpected quarters, recalling an incident where a woman manager at a garage saw her as a liability because of her gender. “The same gender you are fighting for might not see the vision that you have for your field,” she reflects.
Despite these setbacks, Mercy remains undaunted. Her message to young women considering a career in automotive engineering is both realistic and inspiring: “There will always be obstacles in any field. STEM fields do harden you,” she advises. “Learn to stand your ground. Find a balance. Have the focus on your mind.”
As Mercy Mwende continues her fight for gender equality in Kenya’s automotive industry, she embodies the change she wishes to see. Her petition, her advocacy, and her unwavering determination are not just about securing jobs; they’re about reimagining an entire industry.
“I believe that the Engineering sector needs women in it,” Mercy states. In a world where cars are still predominantly designed, built, and repaired by men, Mercy Mwende is not just opening doors; she’s rebuilding the entire garage. And in doing so, she’s paving the way for a new generation of women to drive change in Kenya’s automotive industry.
