Orefile Mthombeni: Championing the Course of Women in Aviation
Orefile Mthombeni is clearly an amazon of aviation per excellence, having carved out an enviable niche for herself in an industry that is famed as a largely patriarchal entity. Air Traffic Safety Electronics International caught up with the South African-born air traffic safety electronics professional recently and here’s what she had to say:
You have been engaged in the aviation industry for quite some time now. What are some of the changes you are seeing today regarding gender equality and the engagement of female professionals in aviation across the world?
There has been a significant shift towards greater gender inclusivity within the aviation sector. Historically, women were predominantly associated with roles such as air hostesses, with limited representation in other critical positions such as air traffic controllers, pilots, ATSEPs or engineers. Today, there is a growing recognition of the diverse roles that women play within the aviation industry. However, despite these advancements, considerable work remains to be done to achieve comprehensive gender equality on a global scale.
How would you describe the role of women in today’s largely patriarchal global aviation landscape?
While progress has been made in overcoming some barriers, significant challenges persist. It is imperative that women are evaluated based on their skills and qualifications rather than their gender. Continued efforts are essential to ensure that women are afforded equal opportunities and are recognized for their professional competencies in a predominantly patriarchal industry.
You are actively involved in the activities of the ATSEP Women wing of the global body, the International Federation of Air Traffic Safety Electronics Associations (IFATSEA). How would you describe the goals, visions, and objectives of the IFATSEA ATSEP Women wing?
The IFATSEA ATSEP Women wing is dedicated to several key objectives. One is the area of Outreach and Engagement where our goal is to connect with female ATSEPs worldwide, encourage their participation in our committee, and share experiences and challenges. We aim to enhance the recruitment and retention of women in ATSEP roles. The other objective is Advocacy. We advocate for issues by engaging with government organizations, private ANSPs, and educational institutions to address topics raised by the committee. Education is another area and here we seek to increase the visibility of ATSEP work outside our organization and provide education to our members about the challenges we face. There is also the aspect of Networking whereby we foster connections among female ATSEPs to build a supportive network. There is also the objective we refer to as Safe Space where we provide a secure environment where female ATSEPs can discuss and address their current challenges.
We have made significant progress toward these goals and have established a global platform for engagement among female ATSEPs. We continue to welcome new members to join our efforts.
And what are your thoughts concerning the level of success recorded by the ATSEP Women wing of IFATSEA so far?
The ATSEP Women wing of IFATSEA has achieved notable success. Our accomplishments include the drafting and review of the Terms of Reference (ToR) at the 2022 and 2023 General Assemblies. We have held quarterly meetings and participated in a joint statement with IFALPA, IFATMA, IFAIMA, and IFISA for International Women’s Day. Additionally, our social media campaign for International Women’s Day was highly successful. We are committed to continuing this momentum and expanding our impact as more women get involved. Our membership spans a diverse range of countries, including the Netherlands, Argentina, Kenya, Romania, the UK, the USA, Canada, Zambia, Jamaica, Tanzania, Nigeria, South Africa, Albania, France, Mexico, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Peru, and Morocco.
Are any mechanisms currently in place for encouraging female ATSEPs in IFATSEA affiliate countries and associations to replicate and domesticate the activities at the global level?
We are currently in the data-gathering phase, aiming to understand the specific needs, environments, and challenges faced by female ATSEPs in different regions. This information will help us tailor our strategies and encourage the replication and localization of our activities across IFATSEA affiliate countries and associations.
Talking about the global body representing ATSEPs, how would you describe the level of support and commitment of the IFATSEA Executive Board towards the course of ATSEP women the world over?
The IFATSEA Executive Board has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing the goals of the ATSEP Women wing. They have ensured that we have sufficient time for engagement during the IFATSEA General Assemblies and have provided a platform for regular interaction to address our needs as a sub-committee. Their support is crucial in helping us achieve our objectives and furthering the cause of female ATSEPs worldwide.
What do you see as the most significant challenges confronting female ATSEPs across the world today?
The most significant challenges include issues related to recruitment and retention, persistent bias, and the need for enhanced support. These factors collectively impact the advancement and equitable treatment of women in the field.
And what do you think IFATSEA should be doing at the global level to further advance the course of female ATSEPs?
IFATSEA should continue to support and promote initiatives that encourage the involvement of women in ATSEP roles. Strengthening outreach efforts and ensuring that our initiatives reach female ATSEPs globally are essential to advancing our mission and supporting women in the field.
Looking back, how would you describe your tenure as the Executive President of the South African Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnel Association (SAATSEPA)?
My tenure as Executive President of SAATSEPA has been an extraordinary experience. I have experienced significant personal growth and observed the association’s expansion and increased engagement with affiliates across South Africa. I led the strategic direction and governance of the association, represented our members’ interests at both national and international forums, and fostered collaboration and networking among key stakeholders.
Overall, what are your views regarding the future roles of women in aviation’s air navigation services realm?
I foresee that women will increasingly assume leadership roles within the aviation air navigation services sector. The ongoing efforts to address gender imbalances and expand opportunities will likely result in greater representation and influence of women in these pivotal roles. ◙
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