“We Can Do It!” A famous piece of propaganda encouraging women to take on previously male- dominated jobs in support of WWII efforts. Rosie the Riveter became an icon for female empowerment, independence, and strength. Her red bandana and flexed arm symbolize the power of hard work and drive women carry into society. Therefore, women should be considered for traditionally male dominated professions because they have fought repeatedly for where they are not historically, even if it still seems that gender bias and sexism holds greater chances in the workplace than opportunity.
First of all, they bring certain assets or skills that males don’t, such as emotional skills like empathy, communication, adaptability, innovation, etc. “Women are increasingly becoming vocal advocates for workplace inclusivity, driving policy changes that benefit both themselves and future generations of female professionals.” (TeamWomen). In cases with heavier emotional arguments, women are better at approaching the situation than men. Picture your firefighter coworkers having a dispute on how to address an emergent problem. Although they’re trained to assess the issue, your female coworker taking control of the situation using techniques for compromising would take up less time. Now that the problem can be looked at as a bigger picture, it won’t endanger anyone and a solution can be made quicker and easier.
Another reason why women belong in predominantly male careers is that it’s just not fair and prejudice. “The pay gap persists even though women today are more likely than men to have graduated from college.”(Pew Research Center). Imagine going to a job interview, for an opening that works with mostly male employees. Your resume is great except that the college wage premium, the boost earning for employees with a college degree, is slowed down creating a lack of mobility in your workplace. All your blood, sweat, and tears put into degrees only to be stuck in the same wage with little access to promotions or a raise. Gender discrimination affects women from getting jobs. Stereotypes and bias, harassment and microaggressions, lack of diversity. These are just a couple of broad causes for gender discrimination in the workplace. Although not a legal issue, it is much of a social issue for discrimination against pregnant women. We see this in professions where women make up the larger percentage of workers, such as healthcare and education. Only that the judgement grows when less women are represented equally in a workplace. “When workplace gender inequality exists, there are also sociocultural consequences. The discrimination can further divisions within communities and stymie personal or professional growth.” (Tulane University Law School).
Giving women the same consideration for careers and fields that men have grows economic benefit. In the article published by American Progress, organizations benefit largely by creating environments for women to work at. “Moreover, addressing retention challenges in male-dominated sectors will lower employers’ costs associated with worker turnover.” (Khattar). Would hiring another white male, who is overrepresented in STEM, labor, and trade fields, create economic growth or just stability? Wouldn’t it be in good interest to build a strong economic base in gender equality? “Women’s economic empowerment increases economic diversification and income equality for shared prosperity. It is estimated that closing the gender gap could give the global economy a USD 7 trillion boost.” (UN Women.) In the shoes of a leadership role for a company or organization, establishing programs that promote gender equality not only boosts economies, but also social virtues.
Although some may think that women are not meant for traditionally male-dominate fields because they can’t handle the tough work, face challenges that aren’t appealing in the workplace, or struggle deeply with stereotypes that have no rest, women have proved to overturn such excuses and reasons. Success for women in precedented male-dominated jobs and careers is increasing day by day. What women bring to the table in the workplace goes beyond certain skills, economic benefits, inclusivity and equality in social issues. It brings us to greater unity in modern society. We can work towards seeing equality in professions where discrimination once took place.
Work Cited:
TeamWomen. “Women’s Leadership in Male-Dominated Industries.” TeamWomen, 2025,
Pew Research Center. The Enduring Grip of the Gender Pay Gap. Pew Research Center, 1 Mar. 2023
Tulane University Law School. “Workplace Gender Discrimination: Causes and Prevention Strategies.” Tulane Law Online, 9 Apr. 2024,
Khattar, Rose. “Expanding Women’s Access to Male-Dominated Jobs.” Playbook for the Advancement of Women in the Economy, Center for American Progress, 14 Mar. 2024
UN Women. “Facts and Figures: Economic Empowerment.” UN Women, Feb. 2024,
