While a lot of things have changed, a lot has remained exactly the same. Here at CareerBuddy, we care about everyone being treated fairly and well. So for International Women’s Day, we thought it’d be great to hear from women in the workplace - the struggles they face and their perspective on such issues. We chatted with several women, and here’s a peculiar one:
This country called Nigeria is a mess. I had my journey all planned out. But it got messed up real bad. I'm just a girl who wants to sail the ocean, is that too much to ask?
I enrolled to study Nautical Science in a Merchant Navy Academy because I developed a passion for sailing after reading so much about it when I finished my secondary education. And I was to do my sea time on-board a ship after having my Professional Diploma in Nautical Science.
I tried to secure placement. Most of my male colleagues found it easy to get on-board, but for me, it was like village people were monitoring my every move. But to be honest, there was nothing like village people. I eventually realized that I wasn't granted placement on-board ship because of my gender. And I remember a particular recruiter telling me that "women are agents of destruction" He said he couldn't have a female on-board because he doesn’t want his ship to capsize.
I felt so bad, cried so hard. The money spent within the two-year space kept ringing in my head; my three other siblings would pay all their school fees from the money and even have extra money for a vacation. Every other shipping company that received my application said the same story.
SUMMARY
In summary, there is a notion that the maritime profession is only for men. I have female friends that went through the same shit, and I have personally come to the conclusion that I have wasted money. Not only money, precious time, and effort with nothing to show for it because of my gender. I even went ahead to have HND again in Shipping and Logistics. But stopped trying in 2016.
I have no desire to try again because I have lost interest. Most of the recruiters would even request sex to grant applications. I would rather be jobless. The funny thing is that sex isn’t even a guarantee that you’ll get the job, so what’s the point?
This country called Nigeria is a mess. I had my journey all planned out. But it got messed up real bad. I'm just a girl who wants to sail the ocean, is that too much to ask?
#ChooseToChallenge
International Women's Day aims to celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness against bias, and take action for equality. Our goal at CareerBuddy and Tamborin is to be part of this much-needed conversation by highlighting and addressing gender-specific issues women face in the workplace. We hope that the stories we have gathered provoke thought and much more positive action towards making the workplace a conducive environment for everybody, including women.
Also, read Why do I, as a Woman, have to act like a man at work to thrive?