Capt. Atinuke Stanley-Pepple
Today is the International Women’s Day, a day set aside to celebrate women’s contributions to all sectors of the global economy.
The International Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO, the UN body in charge of aviation is having a special session today 8th March, 2022 in observance of the International Women’s Day under the theme of “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”.
The ICAO event aims to highlight the importance of current and future roles of women in driving sustainability in the aviation industry, through focusing on:
- 1. Recognizing the important contributions of women as decision makers, stakeholders, experts, and educators across aviation and at all levels can lead to successful, long-term solutions to sustainability and climate change;
2. The critical role of diversity in the workforce to prevent a narrow and restricted view of the way sustainability objectives are identifies, prioritized and implemented in the aviation industry; - 3. Importance of identifying and filling data gaps to inform more robust gender-responsive environmental policymaking and planning.
The theme of the IWD 2022 provides an opportunity to recall how increasing and reflecting the share of female transport workers and users therefore can lead to unleashing the knowledge and capability of women in crafting effective climate change solutions for the benefit of the sector.
In Nigeria, women have played active roles in the sustainance of the sector. The once dominated male industry has many women in all areas: piloting, aircraft maintenance, flight dispatching, airport management, air navigation management, aviation security, managing airlines etc.
In this interview a pilot with one of the domestic airlines speaks on women’s contributions and challenges in the industry.
Tell us first what you do in the industry
Answer: My name is Atinuke Stanley-Pepple and I am an airline pilot with a background in Law. I fly for one of the airlines in the industry.
1. How have women aviators contributed to the growth and development of the industry?
Answer: I think this is something a lot of us women should look into. In time past our major challenge was female representation and so we have focused majorly on that by getting the qualifications required to be in the industry and by so doing have paved the way for other women.
Women have successfully played their roles as employees of distinguished aspects of the industry and are qualifying and taking leadership roles as well.
Now, our focus should be more on contributing to the industries overall growth and development especially post COVID. First, we most identify the core challenges, issues and problems our industry is facing and suggest solutions. I for one have identified some of them and I gladly share solutions.
We should have open door policies, where staff, both female and male can freely make suggestions to the overall growth and improvement of the industry. Where employees valuable views and suggestions would be heard and utilized.
Also, employees should uphold a mindset of continuous learning and improvement, taking non-conventional courses that are significant to their personal and professional growth and contribution to the industry.
2.How has it been like being a female pilot, are there challenges?
Answer: It has been great, it has been my dream and now it’s a reality. Yes there have been challenges as with anything in life but determination and grit have played a huge role in my growth in the career and life in general. Challenges are opportunities for growth and with God I have overcome and will continue to.
3.How can we encourage more females into the industry?
Answer: We can’t complain that women are not being included if they are not getting the required training, licenses and knowledge required to occupy these positions. Women need to acquire the necessary knowledge and licenses required first.
The culture should also encourage and support women who seek these positions. Women should speak up, take initiative, equip themselves with the knowledge and skills that are required, go for seminars, expositions, network, socialize with like minded women. Seeing another woman doing it sharing her experience triggers and encourages the interest to do same.
A lot of our challenges are unique to our culture so we need to fashion solutions tailored to our environment. A lot of women are still faced with challenges where they feel like their careers have to be on the back burner. Everyone’s career is important whether male or female.
4. How would you say, the much tout about equality is achievable in the sector and what would be your advice to females interested in the sector?
Answer: Equality is key and I am glad the sector encourages this by paying equal salaries to employees whether male or female. Equal pay, equal opportunities. Some individuals may be gender biased regardless but we must however ensure it is minimal by providing policies that encourage same. Having quotas in employment that ensure a fair amount are for women.
Any female interested in the sector should go for it no excuses. No one will make your dreams come true. Take full responsibility, take the first step in faith and just do it.
