Almost every profession employed more men than women in the past. Male domination existed mainly due to the absence of women in the higher education sector. However, the situation has changed and women have now made their presence felt in every sector. In fact, women acquire better education than men in many societies and are ahead in gaining employment.
Even the industrial sector, which was an exclusive preserve of men during earlier times, employs a significant number of women in the present day.
However, there are still a few professions where male domination exists. While there are no curbs on women venturing into these areas, their presence is less than 25 percent.
1. Software developers
Currently, only 19 percent of the software developers are women. The basic qualification for this profession is graduation in the technical field and the emoluments are moderate. Even though a majority earn low salaries, there are a few professionals who have a high income. In recent years, more and more female students have been choosing courses which lead to a career as software developers.
2. Farmers
While women farmers are unorganised in India, they constitute less than 24 percent of the total agriculturists in countries such as the USA. Even though no specific educational qualification is required to take up the profession, poor income is a major drawback of farming. Still, there are several institutions offering courses in farming and related areas. Youngsters interested in the profession can pursue graduate as well as postgraduate programmes. Despite the existence of such opportunities, the number of women opting a career as farmer is very low in most countries.
3. Construction workers
The presence of women in the construction sector is a mere 9.9 percent. Most workers earn very low wages in this sector, but those who carry out certain specialised tasks are paid high remuneration. Workers can also earn pay hikes on acquiring experience.
4. Financial analysts
Even though the number of women financial analysts is lesser than men, latest data reveals that they constitute 39 percent of the total professionals in this field. The minimum qualification for becoming a financial analyst is graduation. Those having higher qualifications are paid more.
5. Aerospace engineers
This is a profession yielding high salaries which degree holders in the branch can join. However, women constitute a mere eight percent of the aerospace engineers.
6. TV/video camera operator, editors
Talent and interest are more crucial to work as a television and video camera operator and editor than educational qualifications. A highly rewarding profession, it provides a significant increase in remuneration based on experience and performance. Even as the number of women entering this field is increasing, they constitute only 21 percent of the total workforce.
7. Architects
Only around 25 percent of architects are women, even though more than 50 percent of architecture students are female. While graduation in the discipline is the basic qualification to enter the profession, preference will be given to candidates with special skills and additional qualifications.
8. Flight engineers/pilots
A mere five-percent of the professionals who work as pilots and flight engineers are women. A related degree is the eligibility to launch these careers, which carry big pay packets, and long experience in flying aircraft is desirable to gain a good posting. Until recently, 100-percent of the flight engineers were men.
9. Fire and Rescue Services
This is still a male-dominated area. The number of women who are attracted to this profession is very less as it demands high physical exertion and an adventurous nature. Fire-fighters often have to engage in life-threatening operations in high-rises. School-level education is sufficient to join this profession and the pay is low. Currently, women make only 3.5 percent of the firefighters.
Other professions
The other sectors which were dominated by men in the past include advocates, veterinarians, commercial-industrial designers, marketing managers, optometrists, management analysts, sales managers and chemists. However, there are more than 40-percent women in all these professions at present and their number is growing every day.