Women should assert roles in engineering and leadership

Maria Catalina Cabral, an Undersecretary at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), spoke at the Asia Women’s Forum on March 21, 2025. She encouraged women to claim their place in engineering and leadership roles. The forum was held at the Manila Marriott Hotel. In her speech, titled “Breaking Barriers, Building Legacies,” Cabral shared her journey in the male-dominated infrastructure sector. She highlighted the need for an end to gender stereotypes in both boardrooms and construction sites. Cabral is one of just two female civil engineers to receive the Most Outstanding Civil Engineer Award from the Professional Regulation Commission since its inception in 1977. Cabral's achievements include being the first woman to serve as the national president of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers. With over 30 years in her field, she discussed the challenges she faced, including being mistaken for an assistant in meetings. She called attention to the biases women encounter, stating that "men are assumed to be capable until proven otherwise," while women must prove their capabilities first. Cabral urged women to embrace leadership roles without waiting for permission. “Stop waiting. You are ready now,” she said, reinforcing that women are equal stakeholders in leadership. She expressed her mission to mentor other women, stating, “When we rise, we lift others with us.” She urged organizations to create inclusive environments for the next generation of female engineers to continue breaking barriers.