FRENCH ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN ENGINEERS
(Association Française des Femmes Ingénieurs)

updated: august 2005

PORTRAIT TYPE

     Of every 10 people studying engineering, two are women.
     In society, more than one engineer in ten is a women (11.1% in 1994, as opposed to 8.5% in 1990).  Of those 11%, 80% are professionals.  Median age: 29 years!

     There are currently 40,000 women engineers in France (as opposed to 30,000 four years ago) of which 250 have joined together to form the dynamic French Association of Women Engineers (AFFI), a group inspired by the Amicale des Femmes Ingénieurs, created in 1929.

OBJECTIVES

* To introduce young women, their parents, and their teachers to the field of engineering.
* To promote women in the field of engineering.
* To represent women engineers on national, European, and international levels.

MEANS

* A network of women currently working as engineers.
* "Graffiti"-the official newsletter of the association.
* Their videocassette "The Women Engineer", sent to students soon to finish their secondary studies.
* Diaporama "Why not an engineer?"(Ed. Nathan) which is sent to career placement offices.
*The organization*s brochure, "Women Engineers" sent to employers and recruiting offices.
* Lively discussions in your region.
* Judges for the award and scholarship panels of the Vocation et Scientifique et Technique.
*Representation in international commissions and congresses.

WHAT'S THE PURPOSE OF AN ASSOCIATION LIKE THIS?

* To inform the public, specifically women, of science and technology in all areas.
* To share personal experiences in the area of techology.
* To influence young women into choosing careers in science and technology.
* To bring women engineers into the heart of business.

ORGANIZATION

     Its active members are degreed engineers or executives in the science and technology fields.  The associated members help the AFFI, and aspiring members are students studying to be engineers.  There are 14 regional groups that work in cooperation with other women*s professional organizations.
     Membership in other networks:  AFFI is a member of the CNISF(Conseil National des Ingénieurs et Scientifiques de France), the CNFF (Conseil National des Femmes Françaises), and the CWES (Internaitional Conference of Women in Engineering and Science).