Women in

Safety 7TH AUGUST 2019

Introduction

Purpose

Connect

Empower

Learn from each other

Grow and overcome challenges

Influence

Diversity and inclusion in the workplace (UAE and Industry)

Agenda

Working in the UAE by Karthi Kanakarajn

Networking

My safety journey: challenges & strategies by Clara Demilew

Women in Safety MY JOURNEY: CHALLENGES, OPPORTUNITIES AND STRATEGIES

CLARA DEMILEW

MSC, BENG, CMIOSH

Serena – Nike Dream crazier Video

About me

33 years old

12 years’ experience

Worked in Colombia, UK, Australia and UAE

CMIOSH – IOSH Member since 2011

I am married, expecting my first child !

My motivation to work in HSEQ is to have an impact on people’s life, to

prevent harm from happening and allow everyone to enjoy life to the

fullest.

Career journey

What are some of the

challenges you have

experienced working as a

female OHS professional?

Challenges

Young

No experience – fresh from uni or to a country.

Lack of confidence – afraid to ask and look stupid

Male dominated environment

English as a second language

Hostility

Not suitable PPE

Challenges

Misogynist remarks and jokes

Not being considered for positions and interviews

No visible women leaders/role models

Eye rolls and laughs behind words

Bitter answers

No one listens because what would I know ?

Married for a long time with no kids

Opportunities

Our nurturing and caring approach towards people – Smile

Fresh and different approach – Do things differently, innovate!

Engineering background: optimization and practical perspective

Broad experience for multiple sectors: there is more than one way to

implement OHS culture.

What strategies have you

implemented to overcome the

challenges ?

Personal Strategies

Determination – Don’t give up, Believe in you!

Hard work, preparation and knowledge.

Be an active listener and understand other’s way of thinking

Find a mentor

Connect with others through stories and personal experience

Remain curious and embrace change

Seek feedback

Help others to grow – Pause and reflect !

Professional strategies

Tailor your message based on your audience

Network, Network

Join a professional group e.g. IOSH

Use underestimation as an opportunity to prove your worth

Plant the seed in people’s mind: let them own the idea

My journey – fresh from Uni

My journey - Human

My journey - Learning

My journey - Today

UAE Challenges

Lack of guidance on how to get into the industry, how & when to apply?

Male attitudes and/or hostile environment

Profession associated with field work

Management commitment to inclusion, equality and diversity

Reluctance to change

Lack of support for professional development

Relatively poor maternity benefits and provision for paternity leave

Inflexible working arrangements

Female/Male – IOSH data

Location Women Men %

IOSH (Worldwide) 9770 36589 21%

UAE 96 1696 5.3%

Oman 8 163 4.7%

Qatar 15 512 2.8%

How do you think IOSH could

support women to overcome

these challenges in the region

and profession ?

What is your organization

currently doing to support

women inclusion in the

workplace?

Q & A

Feedback Survey

Use your mobile phone to go to www.menti.com

Use the code 17 77 59

Start the survey

For more women to get into the

industry, they need to see more

women doing the work so be a

visible role model!

Thank you and see you next

time!