On 22nd January 2026, Sieben Construction took part in the Women in Construction (WiC) Conference, hosted by Build It International (BII) Zambia at the Taj Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka. The conference, themed “Systems and Skills to Site: Diversity Builds Productivity,” brought together government representatives, industry players, training institutions, and development partners to talk about how inclusion can help build a stronger and more productive construction sector in Zambia.
The event created a space for honest conversations around the challenges women continue to face in construction and what can be done to address them. Throughout the day, speakers highlighted that gender inclusion is not only the right thing to do socially, but also makes good business sense by improving safety, productivity, and long-term sustainability.
Eng. Bornwell Siakanomba, CEO of Sieben, with Ms. Mwewa Kasongo, Civil Engineer at Sieben, at the 2026 Women in Construction Conference in Lusaka.
Sieben’s Voice on the Panel
Sieben Construction was represented on the panel by its Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Bornwell Siakanomba, who shared practical insights from the perspective of an employer working daily in Zambia’s construction and engineering environment. His contribution focused on leadership, accountability, and the role companies can play in turning inclusion from policy statements into real action on construction sites.
Eng. Siakanomba spoke about the importance of leadership in an industry that has traditionally been male-dominated. He emphasised that meaningful change happens when company leaders take responsibility for what inclusion looks like in everyday work environments beyond boardrooms or strategy documents.
Understanding the Challenges Women Face
A key theme throughout the conference was the gap between training and employment for women in construction. Reference was made to the TEVETA graduate tracer study, which shows that while women make up about 12 percent of construction-related graduates, far fewer are able to transition into long-term employment within the sector.
Participants discussed how society still sees construction as “men’s work,” discouraging girls from pursuing STEM subjects and construction careers early on. Other practical challenges were also highlighted, including the lack of suitable personal protective equipment for women, poor sanitary facilities on sites, and workplace cultures that can make women feel excluded or unsafe.
From Policy to Practice: Sieben’s Perspective
Drawing on Sieben’s experience, Eng. Siakanomba emphasised that inclusion must be reflected in everyday site operations and management. He noted that progress should be measured not just by how many women are recruited, but by whether they feel safe, supported, and able to advance in their careers..
He also shared a personal motivation which is to see more young women show interest in construction. He encouraged industry professionals to mentor not only women already in the sector, but also girls who express curiosity about engineering and construction, recognising that the future workforce is shaped long before formal employment begins.
These reflections echoed wider discussions at the conference around the need for strong leadership, systems for reporting misconduct, and practical investments in safe and dignified working conditions.
Inclusion in Practice
Sieben’s participation extended beyond the panel discussion. Ms. Mwewa Kasongo, a Civil Engineer at Sieben Construction, also attended the conference, adding a valuable practitioner’s perspective to the conversations. As a young professional working in the industry, the discussions reflected her own experiences.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 Women in Construction Conference reinforced the link between inclusion, productivity, and long-term success in Zambia’s construction sector. Sieben’s participation reflects its commitment to responsible leadership, skills development, and collaboration in the sector.
As the industry evolves, Sieben remains engaged in practical initiatives and dialogue that promote meaningful inclusion, contributing to a construction sector that reflects Zambia’s talent and delivers lasting impact.
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