The 2026 African Women in EHS Conference and Awards “ Psychological Safety, Innovation and Inclusion: Building Productive and Resilient Workspaces in Africa” is an event dedicated to celebrating and empowering both aspiring and existing Environmental, Health, and Safety female professionals. This gathering brings together industry leaders, experts, and emerging talents to foster a community of support, learning, and recognition for the pivotal roles women play in advancing EHS standards and practices.
There are challenges that come with being in a minority group, especially an underrepresented one with a special intersection (Female and Black), coupled with the perception of the EHS profession being an old boys’ club in high-visibility jackets.
Historically, the Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) profession has been affiliated with the high risk sector and heavy industry, hence the over saturation of men for too long. However, this narrative is beginning to metamorphose as a deeper understanding of evolving modern leadership skills with a greater focus on gender equality and transformative innovations.
Therefore, to change this perception and the gender landscape of the EHS profession, it is imperative that women who work within it, with the support of our male counterparts gain the praise and promotion owed to them. In addition, these women should build networks with other women in EHS to promote the profession and passionately encourage and empower girls still in education to consider the EHS profession as a first on a career choice.
Women considering a role in the EHS profession should consider the impact their role will have on not just fellow female colleagues, but all colleagues whose working lives are made better by creating an inclusive and balanced work environment.
Creating a diverse workforce has a positive effect on reputation, both internally with employees and externally with stakeholders including future investors. This has been shown to increase productivity by up to 25% and improve employee performance and engagement, where all feel represented with their specific health and wellbeing issues being considered. Ultimately this has a knock-on effect on staff retention and safety culture, not to mention productivity and profitability.
The Society of Women in Safety, Health and Environment – Africa (SOWSHE-A) is a non-profit organisation with the primary objective to empower and develop both aspiring and practising female EHS professionals.
Our aim is to support aspiring and practising female EHS professionals in their bids to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities. We achieve this through setting standards, advocacy, connecting people and organisations, providing practical education, training, advice and resources.
We have a very strong community across the African Continent, where we represent all EHS and related disciplines from compliance, environmental management, health and safety, internal audit, quality management, security, project management and more to lead, speak, connect and network.
Our core values are hinged on a few of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We are committed to delivering on SDG 3- Good Health and Wellbeing, SDG 4 - Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education, SDG 5 - Gender Equality, SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth and SDG 13 - Climate Action and SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals.
Our Community provides opportunities for the girl child and women to lead, network, develop and grow Africa with EHS promotion as the catalyst.
Vision - To make EHS the conduit for the greater Africa we desire.
Mission - To give both the girl child and women in Africa a voice and visibility to become leaders through skills development, equal empowerment opportunities and access to good education.
