MONROVIA – Engineer Tarlee Gonwokay, the newly inducted President of the Liberia Women in Engineering (WINE)—an auxiliary of the Engineering Society of Liberia—has issued a strong call for increased participation of women and girls in STEM fields.
By Anthony Gray
She emphasized that Liberia’s development demands a more diverse, empowered, and inclusive engineering workforce.
Speaking at her induction ceremony for the 2026–2028 term, Eng. Gonwokay said she was “deeply honored and humbled” to lead WINE, which was officially chartered in 2025 to elevate women’s roles within Liberia’s engineering community.
Addressing government officials, engineers, partners, and invited guests, she expressed gratitude to WINE members for entrusting her and the newly elected leadership with the responsibility of advancing the organization’s mission.
Eng. Gonwokay highlighted the persistent barriers faced by women and girls pursuing engineering careers—limited exposure, financial constraints, inadequate learning resources, and the scarcity of visible female role models.
“Engineering is not only about machines, bridges, roads, systems, and technology,” she said. “It is about solving real problems in our communities and improving lives. And when women are fully included in this work, our solutions become stronger and more impactful.”
She described the induction as more than a ceremonial transition of leadership—calling it “the launch of a movement” aimed at inspiring girls to pursue science and mathematics, supporting university students, and connecting experienced engineers with emerging talent.
Eng. Gonwokay unveiled three key pillars that will guide her administration: 1. Strengthening WINE’s Professional Network
WINE aims to cultivate a dynamic community of women engineers through mentorship, professional development, and international collaboration.
2. Investing in the Next Generation
The organization will conduct outreach across schools, universities, and technical institutions nationwide to encourage girls to view engineering as a viable and rewarding career path. Opportunities for mentorship, internships, and hands-on exposure will form the core of this initiative.
3. Enhancing Stakeholder Engagement
Eng. Gonwokay committed to partnering with government institutions, professional bodies, private companies, and development partners to advocate for inclusive policies and equitable opportunities for women within the engineering sector.
“Our success will be measured not by our titles,” she said, “but by the impact we make in the lives of women engineers and the communities we serve.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
Directly addressing young girls across Liberia, Eng. Gonwokay delivered an empowering message:
“To every young girl listening: your ideas matter. Your intelligence matters. Your future matters. Do not allow fear or stereotypes to define you. Liberia needs your solutions.”
Government Endorsement
Liberia’s Minister of Public Works, Roland Layfette Giddings, delivered motivational remarks commending the establishment of WINE as a strategic step toward national development.
Minister Giddings stressed that Liberia’s infrastructure ambitions require a broader and more diverse pool of engineering professionals.
He urged WINE members to uphold excellence, noting that the country “cannot afford to leave half of its potential untapped.” He encouraged young women engineers to seize emerging opportunities, assuring them that Liberia’s engineering sector “has room for your leadership, your innovation and your contribution.”
