Naadiya Moosajee isn’t just breaking barriers—she’s redesigning the entire system. A South African engineer by training and a changemaker by purpose, she has become a global force in advocating for gender equity in engineering and technology.
Her belief is simple but powerful: “Engineers design our world and our society, and if we don’t have women at the design table, we exclude 50% of the population.” This truth has fueled her relentless mission to ensure that women are not just included but empowered in the future of STEM.
As the co-founder of Women in Engineering (WomEng) and WomHub, Naadiya has built platforms that go beyond advocacy—they provide real tools, funding, mentorship, and opportunities to support women and girls in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Her initiatives span across continents, focusing on emerging economies and creating pathways that challenge deeply rooted systemic inequalities in the engineering world.
Naadiya’s impact has not gone unnoticed. In 2014, she was recognized by Forbes as one of Africa’s Top 20 Young Power Women, a title that reflects not just her influence, but her commitment to rewriting what power looks like. She was also honoured by the Chinese government at the BRICS Summit for her outstanding work in advancing STEM education for African girls. These recognitions, however, are only by-products of her deeper purpose: transforming education, leadership, and innovation in underserved communities.
Her journey hasn’t been without obstacles—Naadiya has spoken openly about being one of the few women in lecture halls, boardrooms, and project sites. But those experiences only sharpened her resolve. She has turned exclusion into empowerment, building spaces where the next generation of women engineers can thrive—confident, capable, and unapologetically visible. Whether it’s through policy influence, grassroots mentorship, or international speaking engagements, she’s constantly engineering better systems and stronger societies.
Today, Naadiya continues to inspire a global audience of young women to embrace STEM fields with boldness and brilliance. Her story reminds us that when women build, they don’t just construct structures—they build more inclusive futures.
