WOMEN IN BREAKBULK

to your location. “Although it was tough, I got a leadership position when I came to the Middle East. I heard about the position, and they decided that they wouldn’t be sending a woman to the Middle East, which is a North American situation perspective, but because of my ability, my drive and willingness, I got the job. I feel like sometimes women are afraid of asking questions because they feel it makes them look weak, but I think that, in fact, it shows initiative.”

Why is diversity important in the workplace? The International Maritime Organization points out that investment in women gives a progressive boost not only to communities and companies, but even to countries by improving economic growth and commercial business performance through increased gender equality.

“I think diversity is important in the workplace, not just from a woman’s perspective, but culturally as well. You need as much input and influence and experiences and information [as possible] to collectively form a better decision,” Tadros said.

“I do think I bring something different. I do bring diversity and I do sometimes think differently because of where I come from,” she added.

According to Tadros, although women need to set leadership examples, they also need to have their own style.

“I lead in my own way and that gives other women an example, which I guess is positive but at the same time, my way is only one way. Other women might want a different leadership style. And if they don’t act in the same way, they feel that they can’t progress.”

Schooley added that she doesn’t know very many women in leadership positions in the field. “Things are certainly moving but not significantly and proportionately. We’re probably less than five to 10 percent, maybe even less than that in this field.”

She also says that women need to create opportunities for themselves by putting in the extra effort. “You can’t wait for them to come to you because they won’t. You have to ask for what you want. If you hear of an opportunity, you have to raise your hand and say ‘I’m willing to do it’.

“I was in my 20s and had to work seven days a week. I had to go above and beyond, more than what a typical male would. In 2007, I went on maternity leave and then the recession hit. I was lucky to retain my job. The point I’m trying to make here is that women can lose their momentum while men don’t.”

To build awareness about their presence in male-dominated industries, women need to place more confidence in their knowledge, Tadros added.

In the breakbulk and project cargo industry, women need expertise because of the specialization. “Generally, women don’t have as much confidence in their own knowledge as much as guys do. It’s a huge generalization, but because it’s an extra ultra-specialized industry, I think this feeds the lack of confidence as well,” she added.

But, as Schooley concluded, there are a lot of women who have an incredible amount of knowledge in this industry; “they just need to be willing to put themselves out there and say ‘I can do this’.” BB

Asma Ali Zain is a Dubai-based journalist with over 20 years’ experience in writing for and editing business-to-business publications.