Woman?s challenge: venturing boldly into men?s domain

Demonstrate how women claiming new spaces can make for new and interesting stories, as well as how such stories can be improved through greater depth.

 

Use this story to draw out new possibilities are opening up for women and how these are being seized. The use of the image in this story could be another discussion point: it is apt and challenges prevailing stereotypes on women and technology. Discuss what other details would be interesting in a story like this; for example what had Mokgotloane been studying at technikon, and why did she drop out? What would be needed to start her own construction company? What do men think of women in this profession? How does her family feel etc.

Participants could go out and do interviews with women in non-traditional roles, find out how they have claimed these new spaces, and what people around them have to say. Challenging occupational stereotypes is a powerful way of creating new role models and prompting debate on the barriers to women in the work place.

 

Click here for additional training resources and information. Refer to fact sheet thirteen.