My Experience Working in a Male-Dominated Industry

Jane Njeri is a peer educator and raises awareness of HIV/AIDS. She goes to various schools and educates students about safe sex and abstinence.  

Up until a few months ago, Jane worked in the construction industry.

“I worked with heavy construction machinery that is used on roads,” Jane told The Weight She Carries. “There are very many challenges.”

Jane went on to explain that she was drawn to construction because the pay was good. She completed the necessary training.

“We were only 15 women taking the course and there were 250 men,” she said.

With so few women taking and completing the course, Jane often worked as the only woman alongside about 30 men on any given day.

She could handle working with the men, but she often faced sexual harassment from her bosses.

“They discriminate a lot. They didn’t like the fact that I am a woman and always wanted to use me sexually,” she said. “And if I don’t give in, they threatened to fire me.”

In her field, projects are temporary and so she would work on a particular project for just a couple of months. This meant Jane would have a new boss every few months.

Many times, Jane found herself fired only to be rehired once the boss responsible for her termination moved on to another project.

“It’s made me very tough. I would always let them know that I’m here for work and that all they need to do is pay me. I would tell my boss that if he insisted on sleeping with me, I would expose him,” she said.

A few months ago, Jane was fired yet again.

“Right now, I’m not working because I refused to give in to my boss’ demands, so I was fired,” she said. “And since there’s no written agreement that I was employed by him, I couldn’t fight it. I was working that job on and off for three years.”

Sadly, Jane’s experience is a common occurrence. Many women around the world face sexual harassment in the workplace and often have little recourse in the matter. Even when reported, these types of cases often turn into a battle of he said, she said, and the woman is often encouraged by those around her to just “deal with it.”

“Women working in male-dominated industries should not all men to intimidate them. Men fear women because we are powerful. We should never be afraid to take a stand.” – Jane Njeri

Although the plant operation job was good, now Jane is focused on the next chapter for her.

“I’d like to focus on the girl child,” she said. “As a community health volunteer, we’re not recognized in Kenya, and the only people who recognize us is the community we serve.”

Working in a male-dominated industry has made her stronger, she said.

“I’ve learnt to be very tough,” she said. “Every woman needs to learn to be strong. I’ve also learnt that I can do anything I put my mind to. As long as I’m willing, I can do it.”