Women In Construction Symposium (WICS) 2025

Event Name:

Women in Construction Symposium (WICS) 2025

Theme:

Levelling the Ground to Upscale Effective Participation of Women in Construction and Infrastructure Development

Rationale:

The construction industry, one of the most dynamic sectors of the global economy, has traditionally been male-dominated. Women represent 51% of our gender demographic strata in Uganda yet their participation in construction is less than 10%. Locking out this significant portion of our population from effective participation in production negates our sustainable economic growth as a nation; therefore, encouraging girls and women to participate in construction, as with other sectors, will catapult our development taking us closer to the ten-fold increment in our GDP as planned by the Government.

Some women have been making significant strides in the sector, breaking barriers and redefining norms. However, challenges such as gender stratification, unequal pay, limited access to opportunities, and lack of mentorship persist, limiting the full participation and contribution of women in the construction industry.

Women in Construction is an initiative under the auspices of the Pan African Chamber of Commerce, South Africa with a mission to ensure that women in the construction industry of Africa (including but not limited to building and engineering contracting and consulting, architecture, surveying, real estate, law, etc.) have the necessary tools to thrive.

UNABSEC in partnership with the Pan-African Chamber of Commerce, South Africa will host the inaugural Women in Construction Symposium (WICS) in Uganda. WICS 2025 aims to create a platform to celebrate the achievements of women in Uganda’s construction industry, discuss existing challenges, and develop actionable strategies to reverse gender inequality in the construction industry.

In addition to highlighting opportunities in Uganda’s construction industry, WICS 2025 will also feature an Exhibition & Innovation Centre, presenting an opportunity for women and girls to showcase their exceptional skills and innovative solutions in the industry. This initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality, which advocates for empowering women and girls and ensuring equal opportunities across all sectors.

Objectives:

  1. To officially launch the Women in Construction – Uganda Chapter – Establish a dedicated platform that will provide continuous support, mentorship, and advocacy for progression and empowerment of women professionals and entrepreneurs in the industry.

  1. To recognize and amplify women's achievements in construction – Highlight and celebrate the contributions of women in the construction sector, showcasing their successes to inspire and attract more women into the industry.

  1. To address systemic challenges and drive transformative solutions – Identify key structural and operational barriers faced by women in construction and develop actionable, long-term strategies to enhance gender parity and fair professional growth.

  1. To champion policy reforms and industry best practices for gender equity – Advocate for progressive policies, regulations, and institutional frameworks that foster a more inclusive construction sector, ensuring equal opportunities for women at all levels and increase the numbers of women in decision making positions with the construction and infrastructure sector.

  1. To facilitate high-end networking and capacity building – Create strategic networking platform for mentorship programs, and capacity-building initiatives to empower women with skills, business opportunities, and professional growth avenues.

Speakers

Speakers will be selected from different areas of the construction sector including the Private Sector (Employers), Professional bodies (Employees), Academia, Government (Policy Makers), and Student representatives.

  1. Keynote Speaker:

Mr. Jonny Muteba, CEO and Founder, Pan African Chamber of Commerce

Topic: Leading by Example: Empowering Women in Construction

  1. Panellists:

Panel 1:

  1. Ms. Nwanne Vwede-Obahor, UNDP Resident Representative,
  2. Col. Edith Nakalema, The Head of the State House Investors Protection Unit
  3. Mrs. Irene Mugisha, CEO, Presidential CEOs Forum.
  4. Mr. Jonny Muteba, CEO and Founder, Pan African Chamber of Commerce.
  5. Ms. Sybella Namirembe, Projects Manager at Epsilon (U) Ltd and UNABSEC Treasurer Emeritus.

Panel 2:

  1. Ms. Peace Agnes, Managing Director, Armpass Technical Services – the biggest woman-led local contractor in Uganda. (to share her experience as a lady business owner and as an employer)
  2. Arch. Jacklyn Namayanja, President Uganda Society of Architects. (to share experiences as a professional in the construction industry)
  3. Eng. Dr. Dorothy Okello, Dean, School of Engineering, Makerere University. She was the first Female President of UIPE and also the Founder of Women Engineers, Technicians and Technologists (WETT) Committee under UIPE
  4. Mr. Benson Turamye, Executive Director Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) (to share business opportunities for women-led businesses)
  5. A female youth from Nakawa Vocational Training Centre – TBC) (to share experiences, challenges and solutions aimed at leveling the ground)

Topics of discussion

The following topics under the event theme will be discussed by the panelists.

    1. Barriers to women empowerment in construction
    2. Actionable solutions to increase effective women participation in construction and infrastructure development
    3. Opportunities for women in construction
    4. Gender responsive policies and practices in workplaces
    5. Skilling and preparing the girl for a career in Construction
    6. Experience sharing to encourage younger professionals

Exhibition and Innovation Center

The symposium will also host an Exhibition and Innovation Center, spotlighting the outstanding contributions of Women in Construction to the industry. This showcase will feature:

    1. Innovative projects by female researchers and entrepreneurs supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development.
    2. Cutting-edge solutions developed by female students from various academic institutions.
    3. Success stories from women in the workforce, highlighting their impact on the construction sector
    4. Exhibits from the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) and other organizations promoting women's participation in the industry
    5. Sponsor exhibitions, highlighting their commitment to diversity and inclusion

This platform will provide a unique opportunity for female innovators to pitch their ideas to potential investors, industry experts, and stakeholders, fostering collaboration, mentorship, and growth.

Event Details

Date: Friday, 11th April 2025

Time: 8:00am

Venue: Sheraton Kampala Hotel

Target Participants: Over 300 participants including female professionals, CEOs of construction companies and other stakeholders, academia, government bodies, NGOs, and students

Expected Outcomes

  1. Launch of Women in Construction, Uganda Chapter.
  2. Commitments from Stakeholders to adopt measurable actions for gender inclusivity within the construction and infrastructure sector.
  3. Increased visibility of women’s contributions to the construction industry.
  4. Enhanced awareness of gender-specific challenges and actionable solutions.
  5. Empowered girl-child and women in construction.
  6. Strengthened commitment to implement gender-inclusive policies and practices.
  7. Formation of networks and mentorship programs.

Participation Details

Individual Participation fees:

Professionals and practitioners – UGX 150,000

Students and young professionals (less than 5 years post-graduation) – UGX 50,000

Partnerships and Sponsorship Categories and Benefits

Title Partner (UGX 30,000,000)

  1. The Title Sponsor's name and logo will be associated with a prestigious event.
  2. All benefits of the Official Partner.

Official Partners (UGX 20,000,000)

  1. Opportunity to present to the attendees.
  2. Unlimited co-branding at the event venue.
  3. A 3x6 exhibition booth at the Exhibition & Innovation Centre to display your products.
  4. Opportunity to run an advert on our website for two months.
  5. Your company logo will appear on our publications and invitation messages.
  6. Exclusive opportunity to present a hamper of your products to event guests.
  7. Up to 5 invitations to the event.
  8. A soft copy of your company profile shall be shared with all UNABSEC Members in a post-event email.

Gold Sponsors (UGX 10,000,000)

  1. Opportunity to place your banners at the event.
  2. A 3X3 exhibition booth at the Exhibition & Innovation Centre to display your products..
  3. Opportunity to run an advert on our website for one month.
  4. Your company logo will appear on our publications and invitation messages.
  5. Up to 3 invitations to the event.
  6. A soft copy of your company profile shall be shared with all UNABSEC Members in a post-event email.

Exhibitors (UGX 3,000,000)

  1. Opportunity to place your banners at the event.
  2. A 3X3 exhibition booth at the Exhibition & Innovation Centre to display your products.
  3. Up to 2 invitations to the event

Confirmation of Participation for Individual participants

Interested participants should confirm their participation by making payments using any of the payment modes provided below. Send a copy of the proof of payment via WhatsApp on 0774 992514 or Email to programs@unabsec.co.ug to book your slot.

Confirmation of Participation for Sponsors

Interested partners and sponsors confirm their participation by sending an email to the Programs Manager at programs@unabsec.co.ug not later than 22nd March 2025. The email must indicate the sponsorship category of interest.

The confirmed partners/sponsors shall receive an invoice from the UNABSEC Secretariat for which payments shall be made within seven (7) days from the date of receipt of the invoice.

Payment Details

MTN Momo Pay Merchant Code: 568878
Airtel Money Pay Merchant Code: 4360574
Bank Account No.: 9030005853493 (Stanbic Bank, Metro Branch)

Contact Details

For more information please contact us at programs@unabsec.co.ug or call 0392 795036 / 0774 992514

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