Prior to launching WEMADEIT, the engineering faculties of Ryerson University, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, University of Waterloo, and Western University independently organized programs to promote engineering through outreach, running summer camps, facilitating mentoring opportunities, among other activities, all designed to engage young girls and women in engineering.
Despite their best efforts, female enrolment in engineering programs remained low, hovering around 20% of the student population and even less in certain fields such as electrical and mechanical engineering. Frustrated with the lack of progress, the partners joined together, with the support of Hydro One and other funders and champions. Together WEMADEIT!