Damaris Mutinda: Breaking the glass ceiling

A section of Suswa Railway Station in Narok [File/Standard] In a field long dominated by men, one woman is breaking barriers and defying expectations. Damaris Mutinda, a Safety Dispatcher at the Standard Gauge Railway's Afristar Dispatch Centre, stands as a testament to resilience, proving that determination is not defined by gender. As the only female working alongside over 20 male colleagues, she has never felt intimidated, despite the challenges inherent in such an environment, she asserts. Mutinda's job entails ensuring the safety of all workers along the entire line, from Port Reitz station to Suswa station and issuing relevant dispatching orders. "I started as a Track and Signal Safety Protection Dispatcher in the Track and Signal department in 2021 and after thorough training and examinations, I was promoted to the position of Safety Protection Dispatcher at the Dispatch Centre," she shared with The Standard. At the facility, Mutinda is responsible for registering the Construction and Maintenance plan of each on-site work group before and after operations, ensuring all regulations and conditions are met. She also oversees the monitoring of the entire Centralized Traffic Control (CTC) system and possesses the knowledge to address faults that occur in signal lights, power, and turnout failures. "Since the Dispatch Centre is the heart and brain of the SGR, the training here is more rigorous than in any other department, a continuous learning process under the guidance of expatriates," she explains. She also ensures the preparation of 48-hour weather forecasts during the flood control period and the reception and notification of rainfall alarm system information for compliance. A January report on global trends in the transport sector highlighted the significant underrepresentation of women in the global transport workforce, who comprise only 12 per cent of transportation and storage workers worldwide. The survey was jointly conducted by the World Bank Group, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the International Transport Forum (ITF). According to the report, this underrepresentation limits diverse perspectives in service design and decision-making, negatively impacting businesses and undermining economic growth. For Damaris Mutinda, the only female Safety Dispatcher at Afristar's Dispatch Centre, this report resonates deeply as she strives to change the prevailing narrative. "Currently, I am the only woman in my department. I would love to see more women take up the challenge and join me in this field, so we can dispel the outdated perception of male dominance in certain technical areas," she said. Like any job, hers presents challenges; balancing multiple tasks, deadlines, and priorities can be overwhelming. She addresses this by setting clear priorities and breaking large tasks into smaller steps. "Delivering results under tight deadlines or high standards is a significant challenge for me as a woman. Therefore, I set realistic goals, communicate openly about challenges and seek support when needed," she stated. Damaris considers herself a problem-solver. "I enjoy helping solve problems, whether it's answering complex questions, brainstorming creative ideas, or assisting with fault resolution, while maintaining the goal of safety first," she says proudly. She urges her peers to venture into transport careers, imploring them to cultivate a growth mindset and embrace technological advancements, a call also advocated by the report. "Stay curious, take courses and be open to learning new skills and don't fear failure, each setback is a learning opportunity," she said. She also called on industry players to facilitate greater female participation by creating outreach programs, fostering advancement opportunities, and promoting inclusivity. "It is about paving the way for future generations of women, shattering glass ceilings, one step at a time, to achieve their dreams," she noted.

Damaris Mutinda: Breaking the glass ceiling

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