Daily Archives: November 30, 2023

In Africa, firms like BuildX, BHI, and MASS are rethinking ways construction offers opportunities for womens empowerment. Image courtesy of BuildX.

Construction is mens work. At least, thats what Western culture has always maintained. But traditional gender stereotypesthe belief that men are more suited to physical labor, for example, or that family life requires women to avoid jobs with irregular hoursare neither true nor tenable.

Consider constructions chronic labor shortage. In the United States alone, the construction industry averaged more than 390,000 job openings per month in 2022, according to Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), which says the construction industry needs to attract an estimated 546,000 additional workers on top of the normal pace of hiring in order to satisfy the demand for labor. The same calculus that exists in the United States exists in construction markets worldwide. From homes, schools, and hospitals to airports, power plants, and parks, global communities need infrastructure in order to grow and prosper. To build it, construction employers need all hands on deckincluding both male and female talent. Although attracting women to construction is easier said than done, best practices are coming into focus thanks to leadership in a dynamic and fast-growing part of the world: Africa.

While men constitute more than 80% of the construction workforce in Africa, OECD reports, there are meaningful advances in several countries where gender equity often stems from deep-rooted cultural traditions. Case in point: East Africas Maasai people, a nomadic group of pastoralists whose economic and cultural identity revolves around cattle herding. For centuries, the Maasai have lived in mud huts called bomas, made from cow dung, grass, and sticks. In Maasai tribes, the engineering, construction, repair, and maintenance of bomas falls entirely on women.

I come from the West of KenyaKakamegaand in our community, the women are the ones responsible for construction as well, says engineer Esther Segero, head of construction at BuildX Studio, an architecture, engineering, and construction firm in Nairobi. They build mud houses and plaster them with cow dung. The Maasai area and culture are the same. Since they are pastoralists, the men tend to the animals and walk for kilometers in search of pasture and water while the women are left at home. Hence, they take over the building work.

Now, companies and nonprofits such as BuildX Studio, Build Health International, and MASS Design Group are remaking the construction workforce in ways that empower women instead of marginalizing them.

Africa is in the midst of a major baby boom, according to the United Nations, which expects the continents population to double from 1.25 billion people in 2017 to 2.5 billion people in 2050. Because rural communities in many cases dont offer the jobs, health care, infrastructure, and education to support this kind of growth, across Africa there is a massive migration to urban centers. In Kenya, where builders produce less than 50,000 new housing units every year, this has contributed to a dire housing deficit of 2 million units.

BuildX Studio believes that women can help Kenya and other African countries bridge the urgent gap between supply and demand. Presently, fewer than 11% of engineers, architects, urban planners, construction managers, and real estate managers in Africa are women, according to Segero. But, the needle is moving.

Change is imminent, Segero says. For example, in 2020, female engineers were at 3% and are now at 7.3%. The good news is that through networks, women are now at the helm of leadership of many construction organizations, which I would say is helping the younger female professionals get role models.

BuildX Studio is hiring and training women to fill both frontline and leadership roles across its projects. Our goal is for all BuildX buildings to be inclusively designed and built, Segero says. We prioritize labor for women and youth within the communities where we work. Our mission is to have, over time, at least 30% women working in all our sites and at least 50% representation in our office across all levels.

According to Segero, BuildX Studio is 50% female-owned and currently boasts a team that is 60% women. We aim to achieve equal gender representation for all our design project teams through community engagement activities prior to all construction projects and close collaboration with our sister company, Buildher, she says.

Established by BuildX in 2018, Buildher is a nonprofit that promotes urban development in Kenya by equipping women with accredited construction and manufacturing skills. This can foster greater financial prosperity, change male attitudes, and promote gender equality within the construction industry. To date, it has trained nearly 400 women, who typically report a five-fold increase in income after just four months of construction training. Projects like the Zima Homes sustainable and affordable housing development in Nairobi provide women with accredited construction skills to improve their financial prospects and promote gender equality within the construction sector.

BuildX and Buildher succeed by recognizing the barriers that keep women from construction trades and implementing solutions. For example, BuildX offers separate changing rooms and toilets for men and women on its construction sites and continuously delivers training on sexual harassment.

BuildX believes these and other inclusion efforts are essential to building the construction workforce Kenya needs to support its growing population. The situation seems to be changing slowly, Segero says. Women represent a third of students in two public universities offering different industry courses, including architecture, real estate, planning, construction management, quantity surveying, and interior design. However, more needs to be done to sustain this trendin particular, for women working on construction sites.

Out of 170 countries in the United Nations Development Programs Gender Inequality Index, Sierra Leone ranks 162nd. Women account for 52% of the West African nations population but occupy less than 20% of elected governmental positions, according to the US Agency for International Development (USAID) which reports that Sierra Leonean women suffer in large numbers from lack of economic independence, high illiteracy, and gender-based violence.

Despite these barriers, women are still advancing in Sierra Leone: In November 2022, the nations parliament unanimously passed the Gender Equality and Womens Empowerment Bill. According to the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), the law mandates that political parties in Sierra Leone put forth women candidates for parliamentary and local elections and requires public and private employers to reserve 30% of jobs for women, including leadership positions. It also gives women 14 weeks of maternity leave, equal pay, and equal access to financial support and training opportunities.

Build Health International (BHI), a nonprofit that designs and builds healthcare infrastructure in low-resource settings, is helping Sierra Leone improve womens health outcomes and gender disparities by building the Maternal Center of Excellence (MCOE), a 166-bed maternal health center and training facility in Sierra Leones Kono District. Currently, one in 20 women in the nation faces a lifetime risk of dying in pregnancy or childbirth.

Sierra Leone lacks a strong construction and contractor labor force, and the MCOE Site Supervisor John Chew recognized the opportunity to hire and train local women. Im very partial to women because I have 10 sisters, says Chew, who hired the first female construction worker for the project in August 2022 and has since hired more than three dozen women. Im here today because of them. They taught me everything I know and raised me to be the man I am today. Ive never seen this many women do construction, and theyre really doing a good job at it.

BHI has trained women to read construction drawings; use tools; operate heavy machinery; and perform skilled work in trades such as masonry, carpentry, and plumbingoften with the help of technology, including 3D models in Autodesk Cloud Construction Build and Autodesk Revit.

When you show 3D models to people who dont have experience in construction, their eyes light up, Chew says. Theyre able to visualize things that they couldnt really comprehend before. Its really, really helpful.

Learning new tools and skills gives women more economic and social opportunities, according to Hawa Bayoh, one of the first women to join the MCOE construction team. I was suffering a lot because my mother died and I didnt have anyone to take care of me or my family, Bayoh says. Since I started working [for BHI] Im doing great things for my family, Im taking care of myself, and I have more respect. Im doing construction, and Im proud of it. It changed my life a lot, and I thank God for that.

Women benefit from construction as much as construction benefits from women, according to Chew, who says women have unique skills that improve project outcomes. Women are very meticulous. They pay attention to detail and take great pride in their work. They have something to provethey want to show that they can do whatever men can do, and a lot of times they actually do it better. Chew says that for those reasons he has an all-female quality control team. When the men say, Its good enough, the women say, No, were not going to accept that. Theyre used to taking care of their homes and their kids, so they treat this jobsite like its their home and their tools like theyre their children.

This attention to detail helps BHI stretch limited resources further, which puts more money in the hospitals coffers for delivery of care when it eventually opens in the summer of 2024. Its started a wave, Chew says. The women are taking pride in what theyve learned, and theyre telling their neighbors. In turn, their neighbors are telling them, Were so happy. Were getting a new hospital thats for us, and women built it.

Among African nations, Rwanda is considered a leader in womens rights. Women constitute 61% of its parliament and occupy more than half of cabinet and judicial seats.

The nations progressive attitude toward gender equity is as evident on construction sites as it is in politics, according to Noella Nibakuze, a design director in the Kigali, Rwanda, office of architecture, design, and build firm MASS Design Group. Ive been working [in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry] for 10 years now and weve always had women on-site, says Nibakuze, who adds that women typically performed manual labor on construction sites but have begun moving into skilled trades and even managerial roles. The biggest shift Ive seen in those 10 years is having women leading on construction sites.

MASS Design Group is helping drive that shift. On one recent projectthe 12-acre Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, which opened in February 2022 adjacent to Rwandas Volcanoes National Parkwomen made up a significant 23% of the workforce and 24% of leadership roles, a testament to MASSs commitment to gender diversity.

This project, alongside others such as the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA), showcases MASSs approach to integrating women into every facet of construction, from manual labor to managerial roles. Thats much higher than what you would normally see, says Bethel Abate, also a design director in MASSs Kigali office. Its not just having women on-site because in Rwanda thats a bit more normal. Its having women in leadership roles and skilled trades. We even had women working as heavy machine operators, which is not common.

Critical to this success was the formation of MASS.Build, enabling MASS to prioritize social and economic impacts, including gender equity, alongside traditional project metrics. Usually we are designers or architects, and our clients bid out projects to contractors,Abate says. This was the first time we were building one of our own projects. Abate adds that having its own construction division allowed MASS to implement impact-based policies and procedures that might not have been feasible otherwiseincluding local sourcing, health and safety practices, and gender equity. Contractors usually look at the triangle of time, cost, and quality, but our construction entity tracked social and economic impact for local communities as a success metric.

This innovative approach was bolstered by a robust on-site workforce training program, developed in partnership with international and local institutions, which uniquely empowered women through education and skill development. MASS implemented a construction training program in partnership with the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the Integrated Polytechnic Regional College (IPRC) Musanze. The project employed more than 2,400 Rwandans in its design and construction, accounting for 99% of the total labor, and uniquely, a 30% female construction workforce.

If you want to invest in the local community, and if you want people from this place to take responsibility for the work and be invested in it for the long run, you have to put aside time and money to make that happen, Abate says. Women, especially, are very supportive and very inquisitive. They want to learn more, and they want to be empowered to do more. Having training programs on-site is a formalized way to help them grow and advance in their careers.

MASS also introduced womens groups on projects, providing a supportive network for women to share experiences, grow professionally, and build community. These groups have been instrumental in giving women a voice in quality control, fostering a sense of belonging, and creating avenues for income generation beyond the construction sites.

I knew we could do more for the women on-site by creating a womens group where we could come together to understand each others challenges and dreams, including how they see their career growing and then helping them reach those goals, says Nibakuze, who helped establish the womens group for MASSs 3,400-acre Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA) project, which was completed in2022. More than 300 workers were trained in sustainable construction methods while working on-site at RICA, 16% of whom were women.

The group helped women feel valued and important, which gave them the confidence to speak out on quality control and other matters. It also helped them build community. When a construction project ends, women dont move, Nibakuze says. They stay where theyre living. So the women formed co-ops to help each other think about what happens in between projects and other ways of generating income.

By making a concerted effort to recruit, train, and support more women on construction sites, organizations like BuildX, BHI, and MASS are proving that construction is not only a viable field for women but also a platform for their empowerment and financial independence. Such initiatives create a ripple effect, benefiting families and future generations, and reinforce the notion that womens participation in construction can lead to a more inclusive and equitable industry.

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In Africa, Gender Equity in Construction Shapes Tomorrow's Workforce - Autodesk Redshift

In a world where lifestyle inflation and the rat race often go hand in hand, understanding how to navigate your finances to build wealth is more crucial than ever. Many people fall into the trap of increasing their spending as their income grows, unknowingly stepping onto a treadmill that keeps them running in place financially. This phenomenon, while common, can be a significant barrier to achieving financial freedom and accumulating wealth. In this article, well delve into the intricacies of lifestyle inflation, its role in perpetuating the rat race, and practical strategies to avoid these pitfalls to build a more secure financial future.

Lifestyle Inflation and the Rat Race:

Avoiding Financial Mistakes to Build Wealth:

By being mindful of these aspects, you can work towards building wealth while avoiding the pitfalls of the rat race.

Keep reading for a deep dive into each of these topics.

Lifestyle inflation, a term often tossed around in personal finance circles, refers to the phenomenon where ones spending increases as ones income does. Its a common occurrence: you get a raise or a bonus, and suddenly, theres a temptation to upgrade your lifestyle. Imagine this: John, a software developer, receives a promotion. He immediately thinks of moving to a bigger apartment and buying a new car. This scenario is typical, but its also where the seeds of financial stagnation are sown. It doesnt matter how much you earn if you constantly upgrade your lifestyle as your income grows; you will always be broke or living paycheck to paycheck.

The rat race is a term used to describe a frustrating financial cycle: working hard but not making significant progress in wealth accumulation. For many, lifestyle inflation is the trapdoor into this cycle. As you earn more, you spend more, often on things that dont bring long-term happiness or financial security. Studies show that the average household expenditure increases with income.

Lifestyle creep is subtle. Its the extra dinner out each week, the brand-name clothes, the luxury car all seemingly justified by your higher income. However, these expenses add up, eating into funds that could go towards savings or investments. For instance, if Emily spends her entire salary increase on travel and dining, she misses out on potential investment gains that compound over time.

Its essential to understand the dynamics between income increases and spending habits. Ideally, as income grows, so should savings and investments, but often, spending grows instead. Breaking this cycle means consciously directing extra income toward financial goals rather than lifestyle upgrades. For example, allocating 50% of any raise to savings can be a good start.

Several financial missteps keep people running in the rat race:

To avoid falling into the lifestyle inflation trap, consider these strategies:

Budgeting is the cornerstone of financial planning. It involves tracking income and expenses and setting spending limits. Planning, on the other hand, consists of setting financial goals and devising strategies to achieve them. For example, setting a goal to save $10,000 for an emergency fund within a year requires planning your monthly savings accordingly.

Investing is not just for the wealthy; its a tool for everyone to grow their wealth. Diversifying your investments across stocks, bonds, and other assets can help manage risk. For beginners, starting with low-cost index funds can be a wise choice. Remember, the goal is to make your money work for you.

Its essential to balance enjoying your life now and securing your financial future. This doesnt mean you cant enjoy the fruits of your labor, but it does mean making conscious choices. For instance, you might take a modest vacation instead of buying a new car and save the rest.

Moving beyond living paycheck-to-paycheck to achieving financial freedom is the ultimate goal. This involves building an emergency fund, paying off debt, saving for retirement, and investing wisely. Its about making intentional choices with your money to create a sustainable financial future.

Embarking toward financial liberation requires a nuanced understanding of how income and expenditure patterns can impact long-term wealth accumulation. Its about cultivating a mindset where economic decisions are driven not by immediate gratification but by future security and growth. This approach involves a strategic balance between enjoying lifes present moments and preparing for a prosperous future.

By embracing prudent financial habits, you can navigate away from the perpetual cycle of the rat race, steering towards a path of economic self-sufficiency and security. This journeys essence lies in managing resources wisely, ensuring that every dollar earned doesnt need to bring immediate joy but can contribute to a stable and secure financial tomorrow.

Lifestyle inflation can be a significant barrier to financial freedom and wealth accumulation. By understanding and avoiding the pitfalls of increased spending, budgeting wisely, and making smart investment choices, you can step off the rat race treadmill and onto the path of financial security and independence. Remember, its not just about how much you earn but how you manage what you make that counts.

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How Lifestyle Inflation Is Keeping You In The Rat Race (Avoid To ... - New Trader U

Starting a small business while pursuing a university degree isnt just about making extra money. Its an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a practical setting, develop crucial entrepreneurial skills, and lay the groundwork for future success. Moreover, juggling academics and entrepreneurship can be demanding. Academic writing services offer valuable support in managing coursework, enabling students to strike a balance between their educational pursuits and their entrepreneurial endeavors. You can find professional assistance with your assignments at writepaperfor.me and save time for the development of your business.

Heres an in-depth exploration of innovative small business ideas tailored to the university environment.

Offering tutoring services allows you to capitalize on your academic strengths while helping others succeed. You can focus on specific subjects like mathematics, languages, and science or even offer guidance for standardized test preparation. Consider establishing a structured curriculum, organizing study sessions, or providing personalized coaching tailored to individual learning styles.

For those with artistic flair, creating and selling handmade crafts or artwork can be both fulfilling and financially rewarding. Explore various mediums such as painting, pottery, jewelry-making, or personalized merchandise. Engage with your audience by showcasing your creations at local markets, art exhibitions, or through online platforms like Etsy or Instagram.

Capitalizing on your writing or editing skills can lead to a successful freelance business. Offer services such as academic paper assistance, resume writing, blog content creation, or copywriting for businesses. Building a portfolio of your work and networking within university circles can attract clients seeking your expertise.

Event planning provides an avenue to showcase your organizational skills. Whether its organizing social events, club gatherings, or special occasions, meticulous planning and attention to detail are essential. Networking with local vendors and leveraging university connections can help kickstart your event planning venture.

Businesses are increasingly reliant on social media for marketing. If youre adept at navigating platforms like Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, consider offering social media management services. Develop content calendars, engage with audiences, and create impactful campaigns for small businesses looking to enhance their online presence.

The trend towards sustainable fashion presents an opportunity for a clothing resale business. Curate vintage or second-hand clothing and create an online platform or pop-up store. Emphasize sustainability and unique fashion finds to attract eco-conscious consumers within and beyond the university community.

With hectic university schedules, many students seek convenient and healthy meal options. Consider offering meal preparation services catering to various dietary needs or specializing in baked goods. A focus on quality ingredients and diverse menu options can build a loyal customer base.

Providing tech support or device repair services is ideal for students with technical expertise. Help fellow students troubleshoot laptop issues, smartphone glitches, or software problems. A reliable and affordable service can quickly gain popularity within the university community.

Fluency in multiple languages can be monetized by offering translation or interpretation services. Cater to businesses or individuals seeking assistance with documents, meetings, or presentations requiring linguistic expertise.

Certifying as a fitness instructor or yoga teacher allows you to offer classes on or off campus. Promote health and wellness by conducting group fitness sessions or personalized yoga classes, catering to the physical and mental well-being of clients.

Market Research

Understand your target markets needs and preferences through surveys, focus groups, or social media interaction. Adapt your business to meet these demands effectively.

University Resources

Take advantage of entrepreneurship centers, mentorship programs, or startup incubators offered by your university. Seek guidance and support from faculty or local business professionals.

Online Presence

Invest in creating a compelling online presence. Develop a website, leverage social media platforms, and create engaging content to attract and retain customers.

Networking

Forge connections with fellow entrepreneurs, join business clubs, or attend networking events. Collaborate with other students or local businesses to expand your reach and gain valuable insights.

Time Management

Balancing academic commitments and business endeavors requires effective time management. Prioritize tasks, create schedules, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Legal and Financial Understanding

Ensure compliance with legal requirements and maintain a clear understanding of finances. Seek guidance on registering your business, managing income, and accounting practices.

By venturing into entrepreneurial endeavors during their university years, students have a unique opportunity to cultivate a diverse skill set. From honing problem-solving abilities to refining communication skills and fostering adaptability, the journey of entrepreneurship offers invaluable lessons. These small business ventures not only contribute to financial independence but also serve as a blueprint for a thriving entrepreneurial future beyond graduation. Embracing the challenges, learning from experiences, and leveraging the myriad opportunities available within the university environment form the cornerstone of launching ones entrepreneurial aspirations. By seizing these moments, students not only propel their businesses forward but also equip themselves with the resilience and expertise necessary for success in the ever-evolving professional landscape.

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Small business ideas to start at university - Arizona Big Media

Personal Finance

-Rahul Das

Investment is a crucial step towards financial independence and security. It's a way of making your money work for you, creating a stream of passive income, and saving for future needs like retirement or your children's education. However, with the numerous investment options available, where should a beginner start? In this article, we'll explore the top five investment ideas suitable for beginners.

The stock market provides an excellent place for beginners to start their investment journey. By purchasing shares of a company, you become a part-owner of that company. Over time, as the company grows and earns profits, so does your investment. It's essential, however, to research and understand the company you invest in, its performance history, and its future prospects.

For those who find stock investing too complicated or risky, mutual funds can be an excellent alternative. A mutual fund pools money from numerous investors to invest in a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, or other assets. They are managed by professional fund managers who make investment decisions based on intensive research and analysis.

Real estate is another popular investment choice among beginners. It involves buying property for rental or resale. Despite the high initial capital requirement, real estate can provide regular rental income and potential appreciation in property value over time.

Bonds are relatively safer investments compared to stocks or real estate. When you buy a bond, you are essentially lending money to the issuer (a corporation or government) for a specified period. In return, you receive periodic interest payments and the return of the principal amount at the end of the term.

Investing in retirement accounts can be a smart move for beginners. Accounts like 401(k)s or Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) offer tax advantages and often come with employer matching contributions. They also encourage long-term investment, which can lead to substantial growth over time.

Investing can seem overwhelming for beginners, but with the right knowledge and guidance, it can be the key to building wealth. Whether you choose to invest in the stock market, mutual funds, real estate, bonds, or retirement accounts, remember that the best investment is one that aligns with your financial goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon. Start your investment journey today and take a step closer to financial freedom.

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Top 5 Investment Ideas for Beginners: A Comprehensive Guide - Goodreturns

The government is increasingly relying on Huawei the company Washington tried to destroy to lead the countrys efforts to build an independent semiconductor ecosystem.

December 1, 2023, 7:30 AM UTC

Less than five years after US sanctions nearly crippled Huawei Technologies Co., the Chinese giant is now Beijings most important weapon in a battle over semiconductors thats poised to shape the world economy for decades to come.

Huaweis role in Chinas chip industry goes far beyond whats been previously reported. As well as being the most important customer for chip producers and the countrys leading chip designer, Huawei is increasingly lending engineering expertise and financial support to smaller companies in strategic areas of the chip supply chain. It often does this without disclosing its involvement which would trigger US restrictions.

State support for the company has also reached unprecedented levels. Bloomberg News has uncovered a network of enterprises backed by a Shenzhen city government investment fund, which is focused on helping Huawei build a self-sufficient chip network. This group includes optical specialists, chip equipment developers and chemical manufacturers. This is in addition to the $30 billion state-sponsored endeavor to help Huawei build chip fabrication facilities Bloomberg News first reported on in August.

A state investment fund is the linchpin of efforts to bolster Huawei

Huawei is now the centerpoint, said Kendra Schaefer, a partner at Beijing-based consultancy Trivium China. The export controls have pushed the state and industry together in a way we havent seen before.

Huawei denied that the government is giving it support to develop semiconductor technologies. This is entirely speculation and conjecture based on information online, the company said in a statement.

The decision to make Huawei the effective captain of Chinas effort to develop a self-sufficient chip industry is the result of a direct order from the top of government, according to people familiar with the matter who asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the topic.

In Huawei, they have a rare national champion with the grit, scale and technological prowess to push back. Founded in 1987, the company first made its mark in the communications equipment industry before it later expanded into mobile phones. And its combative founder Ren Zhengfei was preparing for disaster years before it struck.

Huawei has long kept a group of black swans on its main campus as a reminder to avoid complacency and prepare for unexpected crises. More than a decade ago, when business was booming, Ren told engineers that continued investment in semiconductor research was the only way to head off a mortal threat to the company. We cant just let others to choke us and die just because of that one product, Ren said.

Ren, founder and chief executive officer of Huawei. Photographer: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg

In the ensuing fight for survival after the US blacklisting in 2019, Ren moved as many as 10,000 developers onto 24-hour shifts in a race to redesign its circuit boards and software so they could function without American technology. At the busiest times, some staff didnt set foot out of its Shenzhen campus for days, living on instant noodles and sleeping in chairs.

That all-out effort kept the company in business. Around this time, the Chinese state also began to step up its support, paving the way for todays interdependent relationship.

To see how deeply Huawei and the Chinese government are now entwined, look no further than the launch in August of the new Mate 60 Pro smartphone. Huawei timed the release of the phone to coincide with US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondos visit to China in part because of direct encouragement from a senior official at the top of the regime, according to a person familiar with the situation who asked not to be identified discussing sensitive matters. Theyd decided it was time China showed some muscle, the person said.

The $900 smartphone signaled Chinas rapid advance. Source: Bloomberg

The request surprised Huawei, which had planned to release the phone at a later date, said a different person. And while the company made the launch date, there was no time for the normal pizazz or even a proper press event.

Huawei denied that government officials had asked for the Mate 60 Pro phone to be introduced sooner than originally planned.

The significance of the phone was the high proportion of advanced made-in-China components it contained, in particular a 7-nanometer processor from Shanghais Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. Hailed by state press as a patriotic triumph, it sparked fervent debate within the US about whether its efforts to slow Chinas technological advance were falling short.

A teardown conducted for Bloomberg News found the majority of components in Huaweis Mate 60 were made in China

The concern in Washington is that the advanced semiconductors that power Huaweis smartphones could also be used for military applications, such as AI-controlled drones or super computers for code-breaking and surveillance. The US is determined to contain Chinas defense capabilities as tensions between the two countries rise over issues including the future of Taiwan.

At the center of the network of state enterprises that is assisting Huawei is an investment fund operated by the municipal government of Shenzhen, where Huawei is headquartered. The Shenzhen Major Industry Investment Group Co. was created in 2019 with state capital and given direct orders to support Chinas chip efforts and Huawei specifically, according to people familiar with the matter.

It has invested in about a dozen companies in the supply chain, including three Huawei-linked chip fabrication facilities, according to data from Tianyancha, an online platform that provides company registration information. But perhaps its most significant operation is a chipmaking tool company called SiCarrier Technology Ltd., founded in 2021.

SiCarrier has formed a close, symbiotic relationship with Huawei, where it mainly interfaces with the electronic giants internal research arm, known as the 2012 Lab. Ren named it after Roland Emmerichs doomsday film that saw China succeed, when nobody else could, in building vast arks to ride out a planet-wide natural disaster.

Huawei's research and development campus in Dongguan boasts manicured grounds and European style buildings. Photographer: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg

Huawei's Shenzhen headquarters from the above. Photographer: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg

The exchange of talent goes both ways. SiCarrier is vigorously hiring elite engineers to work directly on Huaweis projects in Shenzhen and Dongguan, according to a person familiar with the matter. (The recruits are told not to reveal who they actually work for.)

Huawei has also transferred about a dozen patents to SiCarrier, including sound-proof technologies for electronic machines and data center designs, according to patent transfer information published by the China National Intellectual Property Administration. Huawei said any suggestion it has an in-depth partnership with SiCarrier to collaborate on chip technologies is inconsistent with the facts. Shenzhen Major Industry Investment Group, SiCarrier and its affiliates didn't respond to requests for comment.

SiCarrier operates out of a number of locations around Shenzhen. It has an office in an industry park affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and another facility on the top floor of a six-story building inside a small industrial park in Shenzhens eastern suburbs. The facility makes components for semiconductor manufacturing equipment, including laser-driven light source gears, pressure control valves, and pumps, according to an evacuation map on the wall. Next to the map are three posters in Chinese with the words Trust, Innovation and Professionalism printed in bold white characters.

Outside SiCarriers facility in the eastern suburbs of Shenzhen. Source: Bloomberg

Its importance to Huawei is as far more than just a manufacturer, said people familiar with the relationship: SiCarrier is also a nexus between Huawei and the rest of the supply chain. For example, its the largest shareholder in optical machine maker Zetop Technologies Co., according to Tianyancha. Such technology is central to the production of microchips, which are built of layer upon layer of transistors bound to a silicon wafer. The key to this is a process known as lithography where light is projected through a blueprint of the pattern that will be printed.

Zetops second biggest shareholder is Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics. An affiliate of the elite Chinese Academy of Sciences, it boasts of developing some of Chinas best optical technologies for lithography machines.

Lithography is a particularly crucial area because Dutch company ASML Holding NV has a monopoly on extreme ultraviolet lithography gear needed to make the most advanced chips and has never sold those machines to China. With the imposition of US sanctions, ASML will also stop selling Chinese customers most deep ultraviolet equipment, slightly less sophisticated machines for manufacturing semiconductors.

Employees assemble a lithography machine at the ASML Holding NV factory in Veldhoven, Netherlands. Source: ASML Holding NV

Following its blacklisting, Huawei has hired a number of former ASML employees to help work on chipmaking machines, according to one person familiar with the matter and social media records. Bloomberg News found LinkedIn profiles of five former ASML staff members including two previously based in the Netherlands who said they joined Huawei between 2021 and 2022. None responded to requests for comment.

While it will be a long slog to fully catch-up EUV equipment took the West decades and hundreds of millions of dollars to develop the release of the Mate 60 smartphone suggests the gigantic effort centered on Huawei is making progress.

A specialist disassembles a Huawei Mate 60 Pro smartphone and removes the Kirin 9000s chip. Photographer: James Park/Bloomberg

Huawei never disclosed technical details, but a teardown of the handset conducted by TechInsights for Bloomberg News found it was powered by SMICs advanced 7-nanometer processor. That suggests China is roughly five years behind the current most advanced technology. Export controls imposed by the Biden administration in 2022 were aimed at keeping China at least eight years behind.

Huawei is getting a commercial boost too. The launch of the Mate 60 Pro reinvigorated its devices business, with analysts expecting the handset's sales to soar to 40 million to 60 million units next year.

More government subsidies will make it even harder for Huawei to portray itself as independent. But subsidies will also let Huawei sell products at lower prices, said Chris Miller, author of Chip War: The Fight for the Worlds Most Critical Technology. In many emerging markets, this will probably enable Huawei to win market share.

Analysts expect China to keep pouring billions into the chip race, as the consequences of being left behind could be fatal to its ambitions in fast-growing fields like AI.

The scale of the subsidies is massive, far beyond what people would usually think, said Dylan Patel, founder of the research group SemiAnalysis. Theyll build apartment buildings, help with land and take no income taxes.

China doesnt have to establish self-sufficiency at each step of the semiconductor supply chain. The key is to create domestic alternatives at four or five steps of the process where the US and its allies can choke off supplies, says Clifford Kurz, an analyst with S&P Global Ratings. That means China and Huawei will likely focus on concentrated sectors like lithography, wafer production and electronic design automation, or EDA.

The US dominates in chip design. Market share by value and region, 2023

The key thing for Beijing is to have progress in these critical stages, Kurz said. They have done analysis of the whole supply chain since at least 2014. The purpose of the funding is to invest where they think they can have the most impact.

Huawei founder Ren has had a complicated relationship with the Chinese government. For years, when the US pressed Western governments to ban Huaweis telecom equipment out of concern it could be used to spy for the Communist Party, he maintained that his company had no special standing with the government.

Yet when his daughter, Huaweis CFO, was detained in 2018 in Canada over US fraud allegations, Beijing went to extreme lengths to pressure the Canadian and American governments to free her. She was released in 2021 and returned to a heros welcome in China, suggesting the things Ren should be thankful to the Xi administration for include his daughters freedom.

Meng Wanzhou exits Supreme Court after a hearing in Vancouver, in 2021. Photographer: Darryl Dyck/Bloomberg

China owes him though too: Huaweis wolf culture has kept them in the game. Indeed, as China targets independence throughout the semiconductor supply chain, there is one turn of phrase that keeps being used to describe the motivation of this grand push. Its even part of the name of the taskforce that Beijing set up when Washington first blacklisted Huawei. Industry moguls and Chinese officials refer to that unit as .

In an uncanny echo of Rens exhortation all those years ago, that phrase translates as the office that solves neck choking problems.

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How Huawei Is Helping China Build Up Its Semiconductor ... - Bloomberg

Among those who were advised by a healthcare professional to get pregnant to manage or treat endometriosis, a total of 1570 participants responded to the open-ended survey question How did the advice to consider getting pregnant or having a baby impact your life in the next 12 months?. Seven major themes were identified in the responses to this question (see Fig.1).

Some participants responses indicated that the advice to consider getting pregnant had an impact on their knowledge about endometriosis, fertility and pregnancy. After receiving the advice to get pregnant, some participants stated that they felt their knowledge was improved. Other participants stated that they knew pregnancy wasnt a cure for endometriosis and sought information to refute the advice they were given. They mentioned feeling disappointed, misinformed, surprised, irritated, angry, offended and frustrated on receiving this incorrect advice.

Didnt take it [the advice] on board as Ive read numerous times its [pregnancy is] not proven as a treatment [for endometriosis].

Some respondents acknowledged that the advice to get pregnant was given to address fertility concerns, but they were not seeking fertility advice at the time. However, other participants did believe pregnancy would alleviate their symptoms or felt they should have received advice to consider having a baby earlier.

Just that I knew I would probably have a hard time falling pregnant, but it may give me some relief for a few years.

Many participants indicated that their health professionals advice to conceive, prompted them to try for conception or pursue treatments such as surgery to facilitate conception. Participants also reported using artificial reproductive techniques [30] such as in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and freezing eggs for future pregnancy. Some participants described feeling stressed or pressured for a baby and rushed into considering pregnancy.

At the moment we are trying to seek fertility treatment as we have been unsuccessful for the past 2 years in trying to conceive.

Participants reported concern about their ability to have children in the future. Some indicated that they were unsure whether they wanted children and yet others felt that they had no choice but to consider having a baby. Some participants had adopted a baby or used surrogacy to complete their family. A few even described becoming obsessed with the idea of having a baby.

I became obsessed with babies, pregnant women, getting pregnant, the thought that I would never be able to give birth to my own children.

A small number of participants reported being happy with the advice. Among participants who did have a baby, post-partum issues such as worsening of endo symptoms and not receiving post-partum care for endometriosis management were raised as a concern.

Some participants described the advice to have a baby as unsuitable or inappropriate for their situation and rejected it. They reported not [being] in a position to have children or not ready for a baby or were too young to have children. People indicated being single or not being in a relationship in which they wanted a baby.

Didnt take it [the advice] on board.

I was 13. It wasnt appropriate.

I ignored it [the advice to get pregnant] and continued with my high school studies.

Others were still at university with no financial independence and felt that the advice to have a baby was inappropriate for their circumstances.

Given that I was 19 at the time, I knew that in the future [I] wanted to be a mother but [I] knew that it wasnt at that stage in my life yet.

I was 21, single and at uni so it simply wasnt an option.

Yet others disregarded the advice as they already had children, felt they were getting too old to have children or had decided not to have children at all. Some respondents mentioned being too unwell to have a baby.

As bad as I felt I knew in my heart I wouldnt be well enough to take care of a baby. I could barely walk [two and a half] weeks out of the month.

A small number of participants regretted not following the advice, stating that they made the wrong choice.

Participants reported that advice to become pregnant or have a baby impacted their lifestyle, finances, career and major life events. They described how the advice to have children prompted major life changes, including searching for a suitable partner, marrying earlier than planned, moving country, considering having children earlier than planned, considering IVF treatment sooner rather than later, and putting off major expenses such as buying a house.

Brought forward plans to have a baby by several years, despite reservations of my fianc. I felt quite stressed and that it was a race against time to conceive.

I rushed my plans over the next 5 years.

Some participants reported stressful financial impacts, including affordability issues concerning ART procedures such as IVF.

After 6 months of trying, I couldnt get pregnant naturally, so we started IVF. First IVF resulted in [an] ectopic pregnancy which was very painful. 2 years later and after another 6 stimulated cycles of IVF, the endo grew back into my bowel requiring another large bowel resection and removal of other organs. Another 2 stimulated IVF cycles after that. So, 9 IVF rounds in total, we are broke financially, emotionally and physically.

Participants described needing to take time off work as affecting their career and that planning a family required them to re-evaluate their career.

Participants reported that the advice they were given impacted their other experiences with the healthcare system. They mentioned delayed diagnosis, unmet needs, and feelings about interacting with healthcare professionals. Participants reported a mismatch between what they wanted (e.g., pain management) and the advice they were provided.

The pain and other issues I was experiencing werent dealt with to an adequate level.

The fact that I wasnt given any advice suitable to me was very upsetting. I travelled & spent a lot of [dollars] trying to find a practitioner to help with pain management.

Others reported that prescribed treatments didnt work well for them (e.g., hormonal treatment). A few indicated seeking a second opinion as they were dissatisfied with the advice to get pregnant. Others turned to alternative medicine to manage their condition. Many participants expressed that such experiences led them to lose faith in the medical profession while others mentioned that they avoided going to the doctor or changed their healthcare professional.

I ignored it [the advice to get pregnant] and continued with my high school studies. But it likely led to me actively avoiding having to visit that GP.

Some participants reflected on a delay in diagnosis or being diagnosed with other conditions before receiving their endometriosis diagnosis.

The first time [I] complained about the pain in my mid-twenties, [I] was told it was just my body and no one checked to see if [I] had endo, so I lost a tube, and the disease decimated my egg reserve, not enough information.

Some participants reported having a positive experience with healthcare professionals around receiving the advice. They were looking for fertility advice, were satisfied that fertility issues were addressed and reported that their doctor was supportive.

Fertility issues and endometriosis were diagnosed and treated, and I had a baby. Obviously, that advice isnt going to be right for everyone. In my circumstances wanting to get pregnant led me to finding out I had endometriosis.

Many responses touched on the theme of mental health impacts of the advice to get pregnant and have a baby. Participants reported the advice had impacts such as being anxious, panicked, stressed and/or depressed. Some people required help from a psychologist.

It [having a baby] was in my mind every day and added a significant amount of stress to day-to-day life. It is a huge decision to make, endometriosis or not. I was very confused and depressed.

Depressed at the prospect [I] may never have children.

It was a nightmare for me and something that impacted me greatly on an emotional level.

Frustration. Feeling invisible. Feeling irrelevant. Angry. Disappointed. Deflated. Seen as a baby making oven instead of being seen as a person.

Additionally, participants described feelings of isolation, dismissal, and loneliness about being given this advice. Respondents reported having negative self-beliefs such as feeling powerless, low self-esteem and feeling un-womanly when their fertility was affected due to endometriosis.

The advice participants received impacted partner/spouse relations, family, friends and social relationships. Those with partners reported that discussing the pregnancy advice with their partner was stressful and couples felt pressured to have a baby.

I talked with my husband but decided we didnt want to be pressured into having a child when we werent ready just because of endometriosis.

Some participants also reported that their relationship was adversely impacted by the advice due to differences in partner desires or readiness to have a child.

It ended up ruining my relationship as I felt a huge pressure to have kids young and my partner couldnt understand the intense conversation at a young age.

Some participants also described negative impacts on their sexual relationships. They stated that they experienced painful sex due to endometriosis. Given the pain, the rush for a baby added further stress.

I cant really have sex because of the pain. [My partner] knew this, but still thought I should have a kid. This triggered depression around my sexual dysfunction and inability to be in a normal sexual relationship.

Participants who were not in relationships in which they wanted to have a child also described strain.

I was in an abusive relationship. The nurse said it in front of my partner who then decided I no longer needed OCP. I fell pregnant on the first cycle but luckily for my own safety found out 2 weeks after leaving him. Terminated pregnancy.

Participants indicated that they also experienced challenges with other relationships, feeling as if family members didnt understand their struggles. Some said that they experienced family pressure to find a suitable partner to have a baby with.

When I told my parents, I could feel their hope that I might find an older man who could look after me and with whom I might start a family with. I didnt feel pressure to find this person, but I could tell thats what they wanted for me and put that pressure on myself, whilst at the same time thinking that no man would want to be with someone who had so many health problems. I was very lost.

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Patient experiences of being advised by a healthcare professional to ... - BioMed Central