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In a significant step towards promoting road safety and gender equality, the School of Civil Engineering at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia hosted the “Stay Safe Stay Equal Workshop.” This event was held online on Wednesday, 12 June 2024 in collaboration with the University of the Philippines (UP) and the Cambodia Safety Solution Organization (CaMSafe), bringing together experts and participants to tackle pressing issues.
The workshop featured insightful presentations by four distinguished speakers namely Assoc. Prof. Dr.-Ing Masria binti Mustafa from UiTM School of Civil Engineering, who is also the programme advisor, Prof. Ma. Sheilah G. Napalang from UP National Center for Transportation Studies, Mr. Sovann Kong, founder and advisor of CaMSafe and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sandy Mae A. Gaspay from UP Institute of Civil Engineering. The event, attended by 35 participants from the Philippines (18), Cambodia (12) and Malaysia (5), was facilitated by 22 final-year civil engineering students from UiTM. The students, led by Ahmad Imran bin Ismail, were co-advised by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Norhafezah Kasmuri, Ms. Nor Izzah Zainuddin, Ir. Muhd Salmizi Ja’afar, and Ms. Liyana Mohd. Ramly.
The workshop coincided with significant global observances: May’s focus on road safety under the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 and June’s emphasis on gender equality, including International Women in Engineering Day (INWED). This event is part of the Ministry of Higher Education’s Service-Learning Malaysia – University for Society (SULAM) initiative, ongoing since 2020. Previously, a series of workshops and webinars were conducted in collaboration with the Women in Transport Leadership (WiTL) network.
This year’s collaboration between UiTM, UP, and CaMSafe strategically addressed the road safety and gender inclusivity challenges faced by Malaysia, the Philippines, and Cambodia. Urban areas in these countries experience significant road traffic accidents and gender-specific safety issues, making this workshop highly relevant. “Everyone in Malaysia and the ASEAN region must come together to address road accidents and promote gender equality, ensuring safer travel for women.” says Dr.-Ing Masria Mustafa.
Participants engaged in five dynamic breakout sessions designed to foster collaboration and practical solutions, including deepening understanding of road safety challenges and policy advocacy. The breakout sessions provided a platform for international community members to collaborate, share insights, and develop practical solutions aimed at improving road safety for all.
The workshop’s immediate benefits include improved road safety measures and increased awareness of gender equality in the target countries. In the long term, it aims to foster ongoing international collaboration and continuous improvements in global engineering practices. When women are involved in transportation planning and management, their needs are more likely to be considered, enhancing safety and comfort for all users, including children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Their involvement can ensure inclusive transportation, thereby contributing to social well-being by ensuring that all segments of society have equal access to essential facilities and services.
By focusing on these issues, the workshop contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Gender Equality (SDG 5), and Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11).