Nabbanja shatters the glass ceiling

  GENDER | INFRASTRUCTURE   

HOIMA- Many people think that operating heavy construction machinery is a preserve for men. This perception among several Ugandans has kept many women out of this kind of work.

On many construction sites, such as those of roads, power dams, many women are employed as flag ladies, cooks or cleaners. However, the women can equally operate machinery like their counterparts the men.

Much as this is what is happening in Uganda, there are a few women who are defying odds to become big machine operators.

One of them is Faridah Nabbanja. She operates a road roller at Hoima International Airport construction site in Kabaale parish, Hoima district.

The airport is being constructed by SBC (Uganda) Ltd, the joint venture between UK's Colas Ltd and SBI International Holdings AG.

During a media tour of the airport construction works last week, we found Nabbanja busy rolling over soil that is being compacted to create a firm foundation for the airport.

When you are at the site and machines are rolling, you cannot know if it is a man or woman operating them.

Sitting on top of the road roller, the 28-year-old speaks about her job. She hopes to encourage more women to join the industry.

Hailing from Mpigi district, Nabbanja started working with SBI International Holdings AG as a flag woman in 2012.

This was during the construction of the Kampala-Masaka highway.

"I worked as a flag lady for three months. However, I was interested in operating machines. So, when they came looking for people to skill, I presented myself and was trained on the job," Nabbanja says.

It only took four months for the Senior Four dropout to grasp the basic skills. By the end of the year, she was operating the road roller.

"It is easy to learn how to operate these machines. You, however, need to be interested and committed to acquiring these skills. I learned faster than several men that I trained with," she adds.

When she is on job, the road roller operator spends her days compacting soil, concrete or asphalt.

Nabbanja adds that with big machines, grease on the hands, mud-caked boots and the smell of diesel in the morning are part of the job.

"This machine vibrates a lot and some women do not like this kind of work. They think is too manual and dirty. The only thing holding such women back from operating heavy equipment is themselves," she says

She says both men and women can do similar work, provided they are given equal opportunities and the necessary support.

Blending well with men

"We all need to make a living. We all have the same challenges. Therefore, we should be treated equally," Nabbanja says.

Nabbanja says she blends well with her male co-workers on site and they respect her.

"I have worked with many men for some good time. However, the company policy protects us against harassment. We keep our interaction professional," Nabbanja says.

She hopes more women will follow in her footsteps and take up jobs in male-dominated industries.

"I am paid as a machine operator. I got a permit in 2013 and since then I have not looked back," Nabbanja adds.

In future, she wants to start learning how to operate a bulldozer and grader.

"I do not regret working as a road roller driver because now I am earning better than my siblings. Even friends who left for kyeyo envy me," Nabbanja says.

She urges employers to ensure they employ more women as big machine operators.

"I spent four years not working in this company, but when I came back, they gave me the job because I have the skills. I am paid the same amount of money as the men," She adds.

She does not get special preference. "I work the same hours like all the other workers. However, when one gives birth, they are given maternity leave," Nabbanja says.

Missing her family

The mother of two says she misses her children, due to the travel restrictions in place as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It is the only challenge I'm facing," Nabbanja says.

At the Hoima International Airport construction site, there are 208 motorised machine operators but only six are female.

SBC environment and social action plan manager Anuragh Kalra says they have a special programme to skill women on the project.

"We integrate women into our workforce and over the years, we have had female operators and never had any problems with sexual harassment," Kalra says.

He adds that the dangerous nature of construction work makes it imperative that everyone, male or female, respect each other.