Women's Day: People Leaders Highlight Women Focused HR Initiatives & their Impact

Shaleenah Marie, Chairperson, Siemens African Leadership Organisation of Women, Siemens Limited

Bridging Gaps and Empowering Women

Two of the most impactful initiatives I’ve designed and implemented is the SieMent Mentorship Program and Siemens EmpowerHER. The SieMent idea arose from recognizing a critical gap between academia and industry, particularly when it comes to preparing graduates for the workforce. In South Africa, many students lacked the essential skills needed for employability. SieMent was created to close this gap, ensuring that students are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to succeed in their careers.

In addition to SieMent, I developed the Siemens EmpowerHER global mentorship movement, which supports the UN Women African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI). This program is designed to empower young women by equipping them with critical skills in IT, coding, cybersecurity, and robotics. We aim to break down the societal and cultural barriers that have long hindered women from entering the tech industry.

Transforming Confidence into Opportunity

The impact of these programs is truly transformative. Take, for example, one young woman who began her journey with the Siemens EmpowerHER mentorship initiative feeling incredibly shy and uncertain. Initially, she was hesitant to turn on her camera during virtual sessions and unfamiliar with tools like MS Teams. However, through the curriculum and mentorship, she gained the courage to speak up. In her words, “From the EmpowerHER mentorship, I have gained the courage to speak up.” Her confidence soared, and she was soon invited to attend an event at President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s Bellevue Palace, where she participated in an interview about women in tech. Recently, she was offered an internship at Siemens, an incredible milestone in her professional journey. This is just one example of how EmpowerHER is shaping the future of young women and driving lasting change.