Pinays shine in male-dominated industry

MANILA, Philippines - For the women of cement manufacturer Holcim Philippines, females no longer have to fight for their place in this male-dominated industry. The company is recognizing the areas where women can maximize their skills and contribute to output.

At Holcim, women make up only 19 percent of its workforce but hold 40 percent of top management positions and 13 percent of middle management positions.

The company’s female employees are mostly engaged in support functions such as human resource management and finance but the company also assigns them to jobs usually given to men as long as  they are competent, willing and comfortable in the job.

The vice president of its occupational health and safety, for instance, is a woman and so are its two geologists who are engaged in scouring of raw materials needed for cement manufacturing.

“But there is no conscious effort to bring that number,” says Bibi Aquino, officer-in-charge of human resources who has been in the industry for 17 years now. “It’s the mix of brains that you really need. In Holcim it’s not much of an issue.”

Aquino says the cement industry is now more receptive to women who are highly skilled and have the potential to contribute to output but at the same time, the industry now recognizes the natural limitations of women in certain work areas.

“For me, I’ve always been straight and vocal. I’ve encountered a lot of strong men in my career and I always state where I stand as long as I don’t lie or change the story,” she says. “The bottom line is you should be competent in your work and you should be ready to do your job.”

Rochie Marcelo, the company’s manufacturing excellence manager, believes that in traditionally male dominated industries like engineering and manufacturing, women are now given the level playing field but are also expected to perform in the same capacity, if not better than their male peers.

The only limitations, she says, that temporarily stand in the way of women in performing the same tasks as their male counterparts are their natural biological make-up.

“We have a current technician program for scholars now and there are three women in it. When I was introducing them to plant maintenance managers, they told me ‘what if they get pregnant? I won’t have a technician when we have a long shut down,” she illustrates. “Oh well, at least in nine months you’ll know you have to get someone else.”

Because of these limitations, most women in the cement industry work in laboratories and other support offices.

But this does not stop Christine Bellen, 24, and Stephanie Anne Frogoso, 27, two of the company’s geologists.

“I think for geologists, it’s better now than before because the industry is opening up to women. Before there is gender bias because women are thought of as liabilities in the field but now as long as you can increase your physical stamina, you can work side by side with men” says Bellen who has been in the industry for four years.

As geologists, Christine and Stephanie are engaged in the exploration of raw materials for cement manufacturing needs. This involves the mapping and drilling for mineral resource sites and the testing of raw materials for quality.

Because of the nature of their work, they devote 70 percent of their work time in quarry sites which are often in mountainous areas. 

“It’s really physically challenging so in that aspect, we really have to increase our physical stamina,” says Frogoso who has been in the industry for three years. “But it’s really how you present yourself. If you present yourself as weak, they will think of you as such.”

“You don’t need to act like a man but you can show them that you are part of the group and you have something good to contribute,”  Marcelo adds.

Aquino says that in Human Resources, women are valued because they are generally more emphatic and are better in conflict resolution. Men are also more likely to respond positively to a female mediator.

“I see that in HR, women are valued because of our care component,” she says.

She says that because Holcim is still male-dominated, it currently does not have special benefits packages for women other than those provided by the law but Human Resources is open to hearing out the concerns of its female workers.

In instances when a worker is dealing with a sensitive pregnancy, the company can grant her an extended leave of absence to take care of herself and her family.

“It can all be discussed because what is due to women should be respected,” says Aquino.

Work-life balance

As women actively pursue careers, many are torn between their desire to succeed in their professions and have a fulfilling private life, whether in having a family of their own or devoting more  time to loved ones. 

Frogoso believes that women now are more empowered than ever because they have the choice in their life and career paths.

“ I think women in this industry should really learn to develop their time management skills and their stamina. I also think it’s really more of a disposition. For example, a housewife is empowered if she is able to take care of her family and at the same time, she can pursue a career. It really depends on where you are,” she says.

In the Philippines, especially, many women still find fulfillment in having a successful home life. This may sometimes lead them to take a step back from their careers to nurture their family life.

Bellen believes that women should not be made to choose but should try to find a way to do both.

“I think if your career and life path is properly planned you can communicate this with your superiors. If you get pregnant for instance, the field component of your work should be lessened and you can compensate by doing data analysis. You should not force yourself because that is your biological make-up,” she says.

Frogoso believes that women who choose to give up their careers to raise a family should not be considered less empowered if it is a choice they willingly made.

“I can say that I’m willing to give up my career to raise a family but it doesn’t mean that I will not be empowered. It all depends on where you can contribute the most, where you are most needed,” she says.

Marcelo says that career women can make the most effective decision if they can identify their priorities and communicate their life plans with their partners.

“Career is important for yourself but I did not consider it as a priority. My family is my priority. You can be as ambitious as want but you know in your heart that there are more important people who need you,” she says.

“Financial stability is important and continues to be the secret of a successful marriage so if you are willing to change your career, you should communicate this to your partner so you will still be financially supported. It can all be communicated,” she adds.

Aquino shares that women can get the best of both worlds if they find the right timing.

“Early on during my married life, when my children are still small, I did not aspire for a high position. It was only later on when they’re bigger that I aspired for a higher position,” she says. “You don’t need to sacrifice anything. You just need to find the right timing.”