Being a woman in a male dominated field
Const. Mapure Manamela recently visited Westenburg Secondary School where she spoke to the learners about the challenges of working in a male-dominated industry.
POLOKWANE – This talk formed part of the Women’s Month celebration and the aim of the visit was to encourage female learners to not feel intimidated if they want to start a career in a generally male-dominated industry.
Mapure is the Polokwane Cluster Co-operative Communications Officer and was previously the Spokesperson for the Westenburg Police and said despite the challenges, she takes pride in working in a male-dominated profession.
Being a policewoman, she said, can be challenging at times as they sometimes encounter dangerous and life-threatening situations and being a woman in such an industry requires you to be fierce and strong.
“It takes a confident, brave and strong woman and also guts to be in male-dominated career fields. Since August is Women’s Month we want to celebrate the women who break the norm and thrive in a male-dominated career, overcoming the abundance of challenges they face,” she said.
Mapure added she believes the world has adjusted to women occupying almost every space and making their mark and the South African Police Service (SAPS) in no exception, even though it’s still a process. “We are getting a lot of support and recognition by our male seniors and colleagues. There are also situations where we get challenged physically, but the training we received ensures we understand how to handle harsh situations, and I can say I am proud to be a woman in the SAPS, regardless of the difficult situations we face almost daily in the line of duty. I am confident we as women in the police force continue to serve as role models for every woman who wishes to join the SAPS,” she said.
Mapure added women are often termed too emotional for the ‘big jobs’ but these emotions make them more emphatic which in turn helps them be effective leaders. “We see the big picture and understand the details. Don’t be afraid to do things your way as a woman in a male-dominated field. Believe in yourself and get your ideas across,” she urged. “Women often just have to work harder, something we succeed at.”
When working in a male-dominated field as a woman, she said, you earn respect. It’s not something you can demand from the men working around you, it’s something you get automatically because of the kind of job you do or the field you are in.”
She concluded by saying men often have trouble accepting women on the job because they think they have to behave differently when women are around, but as a woman you have to stand your ground and know you’re there to do your job and not be discriminated against.
