From the outside, it may seem the Ministry of Lands and Housing alongside the Seychelles Planning Authority employs more men due to the technical aspects of many jobs in the field. Although it has been the case some time back, during recent years there has been a shift with a slight increase of women joining the technical field. In addition, many of these women are occupying leading roles within the Ministry and the Planning Authority. This is a very encouraging trend and it is hoped that the success stories of these women professionals will serve as a positive call for young girls to consider building a career in the technical fields of the ministry.
The Ministry of Lands and Housing employs 136 staff including a majority of 72 female employees. The Survey Division is one section of the Ministry where the majority of the male staff are dominant. Maria Payet is the only female Survey Technician within the Survey Division and she describes her experience working in a men’s world.
“I was with the Ministry before in the Infrastructure Department then moved to Praslin. Upon my return, I came back to the Ministry in 2013 but this time around I joined the Survey Division.
“Working in an environment with more men you need to be a woman with discipline. You will not have any problems if you have discipline and you draw the line by respecting yourself. In return, the men will respect you and everything will flow. For me, I live in peace with everyone and I ensure that I keep a professional relationship with everyone.
“As a survey technician in the Compilation unit I conduct detailed drawings, we make a representation of various features captured in the community, the environment where the survey will take place. For example, we produce cadastral plans, road profiles, and topographical surveys. I love drawing and I enjoy my job. I find myself at ease in this position compared to if I was a secretary or an administrative officer. My strength lies in the technical field. Although at the age I am at, I would like to embark on another challenge in the field. I am currently watching out for any opportunities that come my way.
“I believe that each individual is designed in a certain way. Where some girls will flow in the technical field, others will flourish in another field. If a young woman has been gifted with a certain passion, I believe she will automatically excel in that respective field. It is something from your heart! Therefore, if a girl has a passion for the construction sector they should pursue it!” asserted Mrs Payet.
On the other hand, the Infrastructure Department with the ministry has a workforce of 67 staff (locals as well as expatriates). 38 are male staff and among these male employees, 11 are occupying leading roles within the department. Nonetheless, the female employees are well represented in various positions such as architects, quantity surveyor, project technicians, engineer, and project secretaries. Dorothy Henriette is one of two females in the lead as project managers in the Infrastructure Department.
“I started with the ministry right after my A levels. Prior to my formal employment, I undertook several attachments in the engineering field with various private construction organisations.
“I wanted to study civil engineering because I enjoyed doing mathematics and physics. I always wanted to do something different. After learning the field did not comprise many women I was even more interested. Within the ministry, I got the opportunity to rotate in various sections and units which led me to grow fonder of the engineering field.
“I have spent over two decades with the ministry and it allowed me to complete my Advanced Diploma in Construction with distinction and a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering with first-class honors. I can proudly say that I have followed all the steps and levels in the ministry where a technician is concerned. During the last five years, I was promoted as a senior project officer, followed by me conducting the responsibilities of a project manager.
“It has been a very challenging journey and I always given the best of my abilities. I have learned so much and I never imagined I would have reached this far in my career! I feel that the construction field remains dominant by men and I feel that one of the main reasons is due to fieldwork. Engineering for example includes both office and fieldwork and I feel many women prefer only office work. For me, the fieldwork is the most important part where you can observe and monitor what was on paper and now turned into reality. For me fieldwork allows one to perfect your office work,” Ms Henriette expressed.
In comparison, the Seychelles Planning Authority has 47 staff comprising 30 female and 17 male staff. The Authority is being led by Angela Servina who goes down in history as the first female chief executive officer for the Authority. Alongside Ms Servina there are three other women in leading roles with the Authority. Women employed with the Authority are predominant in administrative roles whil the male staff are more concentrated in the technical positions.
Maria Madeleine is discharging the responsibilities of a top position within the Planning Authority which has traditionally been occupied by men. As the acting chief development control, Ms Madeleine shares her thoughts in regards to claims that the technical field is suited for men.
“I do not find the field as one where only men can work. Many women before us fought for equality and the drive was that any job that a man can do so can a woman! As a woman doing a job that traditionally was being done by a man, I do not find it any different from any other job. At the same time, nowadays we find that many jobs which were considered a women’s job we see men doing it. Working in this position is not entirely new to me. When I started in 2010 I was conducting development control tasks therefore this serves as an expansion at a higher level as I was occupying a senior role until recently.
“I find that the advantages of being a woman are that the men tend to exert more patience and they are more willing to clear any doubts, they are always helpful and ready to support women in the field.
“Maybe many men will not agree but I honestly feel that as women, we tend to pay attention to various details compared to men who tend to look at things in general. Maybe it is a women’s intuition and maybe it is because as women we try to bring something closer to perfection,” affirmed Ms Madeleine.
Source: Seychelles Nation
