Doris beats odds in a men’s world

By JOYCE INGIPA
DORIS Meliwane is used to be made fun of by her male colleagues.
“When people laugh at the way I dress, or make nasty comments, I didn’t mind at all because it’s part of our custom to be like that. But time is slowly changing and women have the right to do any job they prefer.”
The mother to three daughters, 39, originally from Western Highlands is now an automotive trainer with the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) in Port Moresby. She teaches an all-male class who respect her.
“I wouldn’t completely blame men for looking down on women because the tools and equipment are heavy. My students are senior tradespeople who are here to up skill themselves. They respect me and I love sharing my knowledge to senior and young students”.
She completed Grade Eight at the Tarangau Primary School in Mt Hagen in 1992, then attended the all-girls Notre Dame Secondary where she completed Grade 12 in 1996. She stayed at home for the next three years helping her parents.
“After attending an all-girls school, it was hard for me to apply for a technical course. But the passion was there so I applied. I told myself I should pursue my dream of becoming a tradeswoman.”
In 1999, she enrolled at the Hagen Technical College where she was constantly teased by her male colleagues and trainers. She did not mind as it was accepted in her custom.
She understands that in the highlands, there are rules concerning the roles and responsibilities of men and women. Traditionally women are to bear children, do the gardening and mind the home. Men hunt, make decisions, protect the family and attend traditional obligations to retain their status in the community. Men sleep together in a house while women and children sleep in garden homes.
Doris graduated in 2000 from the college. In 2001 she was given a job with five other women by businessman David Yak but left to travel to Port Moresby to work for Curtain Brothers. She returned home in 2003.
In 2005, she was offered an apprenticeship spot with Ela Motors which she completed in 2010. She later joined Ela Motors at Badili as a tradeswoman.
“I started as a tradeswoman then made my way up to team leader and workshop controller.”
She wanted to experience work outside a workshop and joined Blackswan International as a workshop supervisor in 2015. Then she joined her current employer as an automotive trainer.
She lives with her three daughters and husband William at Nine-Mile.
“My husband is my number one supporter and the person behind my success.”
Doris is glad she did not give up when the going got tough, especially with all the teasing she received.
“My eldest daughter is in Grade Eight and my two babies are in Grade One. I always promote gender equality to them. They will choose what they want to do and I will support them instead of discouraging them.”