“Women’s rights are human rights,” Amnesty International reminds us. Every person has the right to live without discrimination, enjoy good health, pursue education, vote, and earn fairly for their work.
Yet for women and girls worldwide, gender inequality remains an everyday hurdle, affecting them in countless ways – from unequal pay to limited education access, inadequate healthcare, and facing violence.
In fields traditionally dominated by men, these hurdles are magnified, with women often subject to assumptions about their abilities. Education Officer at the Institute of Brunei Technical Education School of Building Technology Services Hajah Siti Hairaney @ Irene binti Haji Awang Shahri knows this all too well. Teaching real estate to her female students, she’s witnessed how deeply gender biases can run in the professional world.
“There’s always a noticeable difference in working as a woman in the industry,” she said.
“To be honest, it can be quite a sexist field. When people look at us, they often assume that we aren’t capable of doing what male estate agents or valuers can do. But I’ve always proven them wrong, and that’s the message I share with my female students.”
Her words strike a chord. Even when women prove their abilities, there’s often a need to go above and beyond to be taken seriously, especially in fields like real estate. But for Hajah Siti Hairaney, standing strong means equipping her students with strategies to face these biases head-on.
SAFETY CONCERNS AND WORKPLACE REALITIES
Women in certain career fields often deal with an added layer of safety concerns, particularly when working alone or with clients.
Hajah Siti Hairaney emphasises the importance of situational awareness for her students, encouraging them to make safety a priority.
“When we go on-site, I always emphasise the importance of being aware of our surroundings,” she said, sharing advice that goes beyond professional know-how.
“If they are meeting male clients, I advise them to ensure that if they can’t bring someone along, they must inform their colleagues that they are out with a client, and make sure the client knows that their colleagues are aware too,” she explained.
“Appointments should ideally be scheduled for the mornings and never in the evenings. If the property is in a potentially risky location, I suggest waiting for someone else to join or insisting that the client brings someone with them.”
In many parts of the world, women are at a higher risk of facing harassment or violence, and even in seemingly safer contexts, Hajah Siti Hairaney’s approach encourages practical vigilance. By teaching these principles, she helps her students navigate their careers safely, reinforcing that their safety is as critical as their professional performance. This is especially empowering in fields where women are constantly proving that they can excel just as well as their male counterparts.
DEALING WITH BIAS
Gender-based discrimination in the workplace doesn’t just mean unequal pay, although that’s a substantial issue worldwide, with women earning roughly 77 per cent of what men make for the same job.
In some cases, such as in Brunei, the gender pay gap isn’t as pronounced, but discrimination can still take other forms, from limiting opportunities to doubting women’s skills.
“When dealing with clients in the government sector, I teach them how to address people properly,” said Hajah Siti Hairaney.
The biases women encounter are often subtle yet pervasive, with many professionals assumed to have “lower intellect” simply because they’re women. Her advice? Always maintain professionalism and let your work speak for itself.
This push for professionalism isn’t just about conforming to standards; it’s about challenging stereotypes that place women at a disadvantage. Through her guidance, Hajah Siti Hairaney instils confidence and self-assurance in her students, reminding them that they are every bit as capable as their male colleagues.
LIFELONG LEARNING
For women, education can be an ongoing journey, one that offers the freedom to advance professionally and personally.
Hajah Siti Hairaney believes in empowering her students to seek further education, even as they start their careers or balance family responsibilities. She encourages her students to look beyond Institute of Brunei Technical Education (IBTE) and embrace opportunities for higher learning, explaining, “You never know when you might need to stand on your own two feet.”
With online courses increasingly accepted by Brunei’s Ministry of Education, women now have more flexible options to study while they work. Universities like Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) or Universiti Malaya (UM) in Malaysia offer courses that can be completed online, giving women a chance to advance without disrupting their lives. “They can work in real estate while studying part-time,” she said, recognising that continuous learning doesn’t just bolster their qualifications – it makes them resilient, adaptable, and ready to take on new challenges.
“I’ve had students who are already in-service or parents, yet they still have the desire to continue studying after IBTE,” she added. This passion for learning also sets a powerful example for the next generation, showing children that education is a lifelong commitment.
POWER OF COMMUNITY AND PROGRESS
In her work, Hajah Siti Hairaney has seen how one voice, one perspective, can ripple out to inspire others, both in her field and beyond. In today’s world, as more women like Hajah Siti Hairaney rise in their professions, they show that the fight for gender equality doesn’t rest solely on broad campaigns but in the everyday triumphs – standing one’s ground, continuing to learn, and lifting up those who follow.
Her message to her students embodies this balance: “If they wish to pursue studies online, especially with the support of their families, I tell them to go for it.”
As women continue to navigate challenges and break barriers, they set the stage for a future where gender equality isn’t a question – it’s a given. – Izah Azahari
