International Women’s Day: Ghina El Itawi

Welcome to Ghina El Itawi, Expro’s Region Senior Business Development Analyst, based in Dubai.

Starting her career as a Wireline Field Engineer, Ghina had multiple roles in the field, before joining Expro in 2012 and is now a key member of the MENA business development team.

What advice do you have for young women looking to get into your field/oil and gas industry?

If you are looking for a smooth ride, then turn around! But if you are looking for a path full of challenges, never-ending leaning, unique experience, and a career that won’t be on your chit chat list with your gals, then welcome to the oil and gas industry!

Can you tell me about a female role model who inspired you?

Any female who stood up in the face of injustice and inequality and never let the surrounding toxic mentalities and environment stop her from voicing out and making a difference while pursuing her dreams and aspirations!

Why do you think diversity is so important in the workplace?

Life is all about maintaining variety and a balance! We come from various backgrounds and mentalities; it is this pool of experience that enriches the workplace.  If men are from Mars, and women are from Venus, you better have both planets for a complete galaxy!

Our industry has typically been dominated by men. Have you faced any challenges coming into the industry and how did you overcome them?

The main challenge I faced was the lack of trust in being able to do the job as a female! Specifically during my days as field engineer, I was occasionally challenged with endless questions on whether, being a female, I am capable of withstanding the harshness of field job requirements and whether I am capable enough to deliver a high quality product. Of course that all came before I stepped a foot on location, so it was definitely a doubt derived directly by my gender!

Once you are ready to face and tackle this stereotype thinking and once you do a good job, you will be smashing those doubts to dust!

Why is International Women’s Day important to you?

IWD  means different things to different people. The core remains the same though and revolves around the 10 values of IWD: Equality, Justice, collaboration, dignity, hope, respect, empathy, forgiveness, appreciation and tenacity! If we honor those values, then this would mark not IWD, but rather International Humanity Day!