Never try to suppress a woman’s voice when she complains of valid societal injustices against her gender.
The ways of society have kept women way behind their male counterparts. For any one accomplished woman, there are a hundred more accomplished men. Such inequality has relegated women into a position of being dependent and easily disposable. Women have suffered humiliation and endured all sorts of abnormality painted as normal, by a society dominated by men.
Lately, women and even some men are rising against the old ways of suppressing women, but like a tree deeply rooted into the ground, patriarchy has refused to fall.
Below is a narration of one of the challenges faced by women. Ella in this piece represents all women, and her experience is not utopian to the women of today.
The Interview
BLOOMING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY.
The human resource manager was boldly inscribed on the door of the spacious office. There was a neatly arranged desk that had stacks of files. On the wall was a large picture of construction workers on a site. Sitting behind the desk was a tall lanky man, in his mid-forties. He had an I.D pinned to his shirt pocket which identifies him as Mr. Andy Martins, H.R Manager. He was holding a resume and examining it carefully. There was a knock on the door, and without looking up he said come in. The door was pushed open and Ella walked in. He looked at her and pointed at a seat opposite him, she took the clue and sat down.
Ella: Good morning sir.
Mr. Martin: Good morning young lady. I have been examining your resume and I must state that I was impressed. Your grades are remarkable and you studied at a highly rated college.
Ella: Thank you very much, sir. I understood just how competitive and demanding civil engineering was, so I gave my all. The beautiful picture on your wall (pointing at the picture) reminds me of my father. He worked at a construction site till he passed on.
Mr. Martin: I see. I am sorry about your dad, and I am sure he would have been proud if he was here to see you proudly identifying yourself with who he was. Nevertheless, I am sure he would also understand my position when I say you are not fitting for the job.
Ella: (Stuttering) I don’t understand. I thought you were impressed by my resume. (Momentarily looking at his I.D to grasp his name) Mr. Martin, if you are concerned with how experienced I am, note I had my Internship in a construction company, and I displayed great leadership skills and earned a good recommendation.
Mr. Martin: (Cutting her short with a wave of his hands). I know all that. They are well spelled out in your resume. However, there is a problem, one that cannot be fixed.
Ella: What is that sir? Kindly tell me and I will proffer a solution. Is it something I should learn? I promise to make amends and prove to you that I am perfect for the job.
Mr. Martin: The truth Ms. Benson is that we want a male for this position. The task of a site manager is not a job for a woman. Look at that picture on my wall, how many females do you see? Zero. Your father should have told you that construction is more of a man’s job. No matter how good you are on paper, I’m sorry you are not qualified for this role. The men on site won’t listen to you, so you cannot manage them.
Ella: So you won’t give me the job because I am female, and not because I am not qualified?
Mr. Martin: That’s a plain way to put it. However, there is a twist, because by you being female you are already disqualified. Nevertheless, if there is a more fitting role I will do well to recommend you.
Ella: (Looking disgusted) In 2020 you are still discriminating against women at the workplace? No offense sir, but though you grew in age you are stuck in the 90s mentally. (Standing up) Also, I speak correctly for my father when I say, he would not have understood your stance. And if he was here, he would say you are wrong!
(She stormed off from his office and slammed the door).
Ella, though qualified, was denied the job simply because she is female. This is one challenge women face in society, especially in male-dominated fields.
