The Higher Education, Training and Innovation Minister says gender diversity is important to the development of technology-based industries. Dr Itah Kandjii-Murangi made the remarks at the commemoration of the Namibia Women in Engineering Day in Windhoek yesterday. She said women play a major role in the national development, but that they are under-presented in the technology-based industries compared to men. The minister encouraged policy-makers to pay attention to women empowerment and gender equality for economic development. The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) Vice-Chancellor revealed that the number of female students enrolled in engineering at his institution has remained consistent over the years, with 36% of women graduating in 2016. Professor Tjama Tjivikua called on more young females to take up engineering as a career to bring about a diverse workforce in the field. The Engineering Council of Namibia only registered 15% of female engineers in 2016.