Every March 8, the world comes together to celebrate International Women’s Day. It’s no secret that women have struggled for years to receive the proper recognition and treatment from their counterparts in a patriarchal society.
This struggle has led to International Women’s Day, which celebrates women’s contributions in developing their communities to become a safe and inclusive space for all. Moreover, the entire month of March is known as Women’s History Month, a time to remember all the challenges that women faced and overcame throughout the years.
Countless women have proven they can make significant contributions in any industry, even male-dominated ones. Here are some examples of women who defied the odds of gender bias and rose to the occasion.
Engineer Jeanlyn C. Caluya
Women are making a mark in the engineering industry with their professionalism and innovative ideas. One example is Jeanlyn C. Caluya, project manager for FR Sevilla Industrial and Development Corporation of the North-South Commuter Railway Project.
Being a woman and a mechanical engineer working in the construction industry, Caluya is lucky to have no experience in gender discrimination. Instead, she feels valued and is treated specially by her employers.
“In the past seven years, I have been exercising a strong sense of leadership being a project manager of various MVAC (mechanical, ventilation, and air-conditioning) projects of our company. That is the one thing that I have been looking forward to, to set standards and examples for the people around me,” she said.
Executive vice president of FR Sevilla Industrial and Development Corporation Jeffrey Sevilla saw Caluya’s stellar performance in the company in the 10 years she’s been working there.
“Staying that long in the industry means you are delivering or meeting expectations,” he said. “Our protocols in hiring depend on capacity and intellect towards the works. An example is the position of engineer, and especially mechanical engineer. In the past, 99 percent are men, nowadays 20 to 30 percent are now being handled by women.”
Caluya added to this claim by saying, “In our society today, women have been given more opportunities than before and that they are more passionate and inspired to show their presence into the world. The years of being suppressed into silence have made them stronger, braver, and louder than before. It allowed them to win gold medals in sports, have higher office positions, greater achievements at work, publish the truth without fear, take jobs dominated by men before, and even lead a whole country. Yes, there are still issues surrounding women, especially with their sexuality but women and men helping each other, there is still hope in this world.”
For Caluya, gender equality is already present in today’s society. However, she believes that it needs to be acknowledged more and celebrated in all walks of life.
Michelle Malubay Soque
Another woman in the construction industry is Michelle Malubay Soque. But unlike Caluya, Soque takes on the role of a gas welder in FR Sevilla Industrial and Development Corporation.
She worked with the company from 2016 to 2020 but re-applied last February 23 since she had to resign after giving birth to her second child.
Like Caluya, Soque is fortunate to have no experience in gender discrimination in the workplace. Instead, she feels that her colleagues are impressed with her skills because, as a female welder, she proves that she can do work that society usually perceives as a masculine job.
Although Soque’s skills and determination play a relevant part in her effectiveness as a welder, part of the recognition goes to the company’s culture, where they balance their personnel, evaluate staff based on performance, and treat men and women equally.
“Gender was never an issue. Practicing gender equality, in my opinion, in our industry should never be put into an argument. Gender factor is not in existence,” Sevilla said.
Soque, on the other hand, feels proud of herself since she can carry out such a laborious job in an industry once dominated by men. And since their company believes in gender equality in the environment, FR Sevilla Industrial and Development Corporation also offers training to help their female welders unlock their full potential.
“Dito [sa FR Sevilla Industrial and Development Corporation] ko na-train ang aking skills bilang welder kasi halos lahat ng wedler nila ay babae. Sila din ang naging daan upang lalo ko pang mahasa ang aking skills bilang welder,” she said.
Both Caluya and Soque prove that women can thrive in any work environment she’s placed in, whether it’s for a white-collar or blue-collar job, provided that their employers also treat them with respect and show interest in their skills.
For the engineer and the welder, being a woman shouldn’t be considered a weakness, just like what years of misogyny have ingrained in the minds of society. Instead, femininity should be embraced and seen from different perspectives because the true essence of a woman is more than physical.
“Being a woman is bringing beauty into the world, but this kind of beauty is not just merely for display or exposition. It is her power to change the world not through violence or chaos but with a woman’s tenderness, being able to be vulnerable but having firm decisions in life and with her loving personality,” Caluya said.
On the other hand, Soque shared that women can tap into their potential by being confident in themselves and learning their strengths since these are key factors to help them achieve their dreams. The welder then advises women like her to continue fighting the good fight, especially since the world has taken notice of their skills and not their gender. Doing so supports the advocacy of creating an inclusive society that celebrates women and their accomplishments.
“To my fellow Filipinas, let’s continue inspiring each other. Let us lift each other and be role models for the younger generations, just as how our role models inspired us to be who we are right now. We are made to add life and create a whole paradise for people to live in. We are beautiful, we are strong, we are wise, and we are heroes too,” Caluya said.