Women's Role In The Security Industry?
Women have a key role to play in the security industry
If you watched the series Haute Sécurité, you undoubtedly noticed the strong presence of a woman describing the services of KK Security in Nairobi, Kenya.
She is Wacu Gatoto, the manager of the National Response Services.
When asked why she chose the security industry, Wacu replied that it's the other way around, it was the security industry that chose her. A wife and mother of three, with a professional background in procurement, marketing, hospitality, and property management, Wacu had never considered a career in security. Then, following a security incident at her place of work, her career would take an unexpected turn. After discussing the incident with her, a man begins to explain …show more content…
"It's difficult. But it makes you hard because you have to try a little harder than the male colleagues." On a team of 500 people, only about 2% are women. Many of her male employees are older and have been there longer than she has, so being directed by a woman is a strange concept for them. "I face this challenge by using my interpersonal skills and I make sure no one loses sight of the main goal," smiled Wacu. She finds a real motivation for being able to change …show more content…
"I get comments such as ‘if you are this hard at work, how are you at home?’ or ‘what is your job, a security guard at a daycare?’ I always react calmly and confidently; I know that I do my job well and that my employer does not consider being a man as a qualification for the job.” She continues, "There have been cases where my determination to deal with the problems that adversely affect our services have been considered emotional, thoughtless, rushed, or as lacking in depth, simply because I am a woman." In such a context, Wacu considers herself fortunate to be so strongly supported by her colleagues and by the senior management of the company, especially when difficult decisions need to be
If you watched the series Haute Sécurité, you undoubtedly noticed the strong presence of a woman describing the services of KK Security in Nairobi, Kenya.
She is Wacu Gatoto, the manager of the National Response Services.
When asked why she chose the security industry, Wacu replied that it's the other way around, it was the security industry that chose her. A wife and mother of three, with a professional background in procurement, marketing, hospitality, and property management, Wacu had never considered a career in security. Then, following a security incident at her place of work, her career would take an unexpected turn. After discussing the incident with her, a man begins to explain …show more content…
"It's difficult. But it makes you hard because you have to try a little harder than the male colleagues." On a team of 500 people, only about 2% are women. Many of her male employees are older and have been there longer than she has, so being directed by a woman is a strange concept for them. "I face this challenge by using my interpersonal skills and I make sure no one loses sight of the main goal," smiled Wacu. She finds a real motivation for being able to change …show more content…
"I get comments such as ‘if you are this hard at work, how are you at home?’ or ‘what is your job, a security guard at a daycare?’ I always react calmly and confidently; I know that I do my job well and that my employer does not consider being a man as a qualification for the job.” She continues, "There have been cases where my determination to deal with the problems that adversely affect our services have been considered emotional, thoughtless, rushed, or as lacking in depth, simply because I am a woman." In such a context, Wacu considers herself fortunate to be so strongly supported by her colleagues and by the senior management of the company, especially when difficult decisions need to be