Professional women share stories of braving male-dominated fields

AMMAN — Being the only woman among 48 men at her department did not dissuade Maysoon Haddadin, a civil engineer, from taking to the field.

After obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Moscow, the mother of three returned to her country in the 1990s, when she undertook the “Herculean task” of familiarising her male peers and the local community with the scene of a woman designing streets and bridges.

Haddadin’s steadfastness in the face of challenges and the support of her husband, who “put up” with her late working hours throughout the years, have made her the first woman to assume the presidency of the Greater Amman Municipality’s (GAM) cone crushers and mixer trucks department.

Similarly, Lt. Diana Rbeihat, the first Jordanian woman to hold a PhD in fire safety engineering, noted that she had two options prior to obtaining her higher education degree from the University of Central Lancashire in the UK — her children, or her children and a PhD.

The Civil Defence Department employee “challenged” herself to be able to enjoy the “best of the career and maternity worlds”.

“I knew if I could do it, I would be a better model for my three kids,” she said.

Haddadin and Rbeihat were among 60 women who were honoured by GAM on Tuesday on the occasion of International Women’s Day.

“Jordanian women can raise their heads high today with their achievements in all areas,” said Manal Abdullat, director of the Metropolis International Women’s Network/Jordan, which is headquartered at GAM.

Women make up 28 per cent (3,335), of the municipality’s 11,097 staff members, while six have been elected to the GAM council.

Moreover, 20 women assume leading positions at the municipality, in addition to five counsellors and one executive director.

Presenting plaques to honourees, HRH Princess Basma expressed her pride in women’s achievements in various fields.

For his part, Amman Mayor Aqel Biltaji commended the women’s efforts, citing the “Ummuna Amman” (Amman is our mother) initiative, launched by GAM to promote the capital as a motherly icon in the eyes of the capital’s residents.

“You only have respect, unconditional love and compassion for your mother. That is how we want Ammanis to see the city. This will make them abide by the law and do their best to preserve the glow and vitality of Amman,” Biltaji said.

The mayor also presented the princess with a plaque in recognition of her innovative work for women and to promote volunteerism.