WITH more freedom of choice and access to education today, women are breaching the gender barrier and are entering fields once believed to be reserved for men. And they are out to prove that they can be as good as anyone else.A few generations ago, women were largely confined to roles as housewives; and those who worked occupied posts in the teaching and nursing professions, while others worked on farms and did domestic and secretarial duties. Of course, there were the exceptional few, such as Mrs. Janet Jagan and Mrs. Viola Burnham, who transcended the womenfolk of their generation.

Today, old beliefs are changing, albeit slowly in some traditionally male-dominated

professions, including in the army, the Police Force, and notably in the field of Civil Engineering. Years ago, a female engineer was practically unheard of in Guyana, not because women were banned from the profession, but because engineering, being a field job, was viewed as a profession for men.
Today, there are more than a handful of female engineers in Guyana, and there is even a ratio of 1:8 in favour of males. With some of the women coming from conservative families, the sign of change is evident; and it has happened without many stereotypes.

Shaleeza Reid, 25, of Henrietta, Essequibo Coast, told Guyana Chronicle that while she is treated as an equal among her male colleagues, there was an instance in which she was bulled by a contractor.

“It was about four years ago; I had just started practising. I noticed a particular contractor (who) seemed interested in doing his own thing and I told him, ‘no, this is not the way it should be done,’ and he was very upset and spoke rudely to me. I listened to him and calmly put down the phone and reported the matter to my supervisor.”

Reid, diminutive in stature but firm in speech, said her supervisor promptly intervened and put the stubborn contractor to his place.

‘THAT LIL GIRL’
She also recalled another instance early in her practice, when she was referred to as “that lil girl” by another contractor, who later changed his perception of her after he saw her work.

With four years’ experience under her belt and with a Master’s degree in Business Management, Reid, who works in the Procurement Department of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, has a solid grasp of her work. She is now setting sight on working with one of the international organisations that deal with big projects.
This young lady who had been a high-flyer in school told this publication that, from very early, she knew what she wanted to become in life, and her inspiration came from looking at the Discovery Channel, particularly the two series “How it is made” and “Mega Structure”.

On completing her secondary education at the Anna Regina Multilateral School, where she obtained 10 grade ones at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, Reid won the Ann Blue Scholarship; and after working for a year to save some money, she headed to the University of Guyana, where she successfully read for a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineer.

“I always wanted to become an engineer. Unlike what some people think, I don’t believe that it is a profession reserved for any particular gender. It is a job for anyone who has the ability to do it,” Reid, who hails from a humble background, said.

But she lamented that most of what she was taught at UG and leant from presentations of foreign consultants while in the employ of the Public Infrastructure Ministry cannot be put into practice. And this is because some senior folks at that ministry are too accustomed to doing things the old way.

Like Reid, Denita Crandon, 30, also of Henrietta (reportedly the only female engineers from the Essequibo Coast), seems to share this sentiment. She also noted that working with some contractors can be a challenge.

NOT EASY
“If you allow yourself to become intimidated by them, they will walk all over you,” she said, adding: “Instead of arguing with them, I simply write them on their faulty work, and insist that all of them refer to me as Ms. Crandon, not babes, honey, and those kinds of ridiculous names.”
Crandon told this publication that she also developed a love for the profession from an early age; but this love came from accompanying her father, who is a contractor, to his work site.

With a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering and four years of practical experience, Crandon said, she is treated as an equal at her workplace, and her supervisors are also sensitive on which areas female engineers work.

“We have had instances (when) residents become rowdy because of a deplorable road and would believe that the engineer is a Government representative and would be abusive. In these situations, and in restive communities, males are assigned those projects,” she said.

She also noted that working in a male-dominated environment could be a challenge, but it is important that females always value self-respect.
“If you don’t respect yourself in a male-dominated profession or a male-dominated work environment, you will not get the respect you deserve. So it is important that you always hold your ground and do your work competently,” Crandon said, adding: “I get a great sense of satisfaction when my work passes all levels of scrutiny.”

In their line of duty, Reid and Crandon are frequently out in the field during sun and rain, and they seem little bothered by it.
“Because it is a profession we love,” the told Guyana Chronicle.