MARIAM HALIM KAMEL YACOUB
Operations Manager, Head of Design & Build, Al Tayer Stocks
20+ years in the field
It can be a lot more difficult for women vs men. Women need to be more assertive and work harder to be taken seriously in the contracting field.
What are the biggest stressors and challenges that you face?
Balancing work and family life is most challenging for me with the intense schedules. There are days when I don’t even have time for a bathroom break
Is it the culture that prevents women from entering this field? How can we change that?
I honestly wouldn’t really put this on culture. I believe that the field of construction can be less attractive to women because of their nature to be over accommodating. This is a tough field and needs a tough person to call the shots. And so, from the start, a woman needs to wear her jeans, put her femininity aside, and just get on with the tough work, and quite frankly, not all women are capable of doing that.
Any personal experience or a memory you would like to share?
I have had my share of situations to deal with at the beginning before becoming more seasoned at my job. Right at the start of my career, I would get harassed quite a bit on site. In fact, one of the workforce would conveniently decide to change clothes everytime I would pass through his section, just to make me uncomfortable and get a rise out of me. Such instances have only made me harder and stronger.
If we were to ask you to share one commitment to the growth and support of diversity and gender equality within the field of construction, what would you be able to offer?
I want to and, in fact, am already supporting diversity by employing women who are capable and suitable for the new positions in my team.
