In the vast field of expatriation, female engineers often face deeply entrenched stereotypes. Although an increasing number are exploring new opportunities internationally, they often have to contend with traditional roles that underestimate their potential. In France, only a minority of expatriate engineers are women, illustrating the persistent challenges related to gender clichés. Thus, the professional fulfillment of these women abroad reveals the tensions between personal ambition and prevailing norms, while highlighting the progress needed to overcome these obstacles.
Gender stereotypes continue to persist in the field of expatriation, particularly for female engineers. Despite a shift towards more equality, traditional patterns endure, often with women sacrificing their careers to follow their partners. While expatriations should be a career opportunity, prejudices and traditional gender roles still limit women’s access to these positions abroad.
The challenges related to gender stereotypes during expatriation
Despite advances towards professional equality, many female engineers still encounter gender stereotypes when considering an international career. In the field of engineering, where women typically represent a quarter of the workforce, expatriation remains a fertile ground for prejudices. When dual-career couples choose to move abroad, it is not uncommon for women to pause their careers to accompany their partners. According to Veronica De la Fuente, a cross-cultural consultant, such a sacrifice often results from patriarchal pressures, where the man refuses to become a stay-at-home father, thus causing a setback for the woman professionally.
Experiences of expatriate women
Enora, a Breton engineer living in Rio de Janeiro, faces the dynamics of the Brazilian job market. Her expertise in engineering, rare in this context, earns her many job offers, but she still observes the weight of the traditional pattern where professional mobility often comes with career sacrifices for women. Others, like Zeynep Alpman, recount a surprisingly positive experience during their expatriation in the United States, where their expertise is taken seriously without gender bias. However, other testimonies like that of Lisa Wolffhugel in Singapore reveal less welcoming cultural contexts, where the assertion of a female engineer is poorly received in some local cultures.
Future perspectives and potential solutions
The future prospects for female engineers in an expatriation context are promising but require concrete actions to break stereotypes. Large companies must actively support the international mobility of women by offering them leadership positions, thus reducing the gender gap. Initiatives such as the Observatory of Female Engineers highlight the current shortcomings and can serve as a starting point for outlining better policies for equal work. Ultimately, supporting families in this cultural change process is essential to create an environment where each member feels valued, regardless of traditional social pressures.
