Breaking Barriers: Rode’s Journey to Become the First Papuan Woman Manager
07 December 2023
In the male-dominated world of mining, Rode Ajomi's journey stands as a beacon of inspiration for women nationwide. Twenty years ago, she started as a non-staff technician, and through hard work, determination, and unwavering resolve, she has now become the company's first Papuan woman manager.
Rode Yetmince Florence Ajomi is familiarly known as Roce to her colleagues, studied Industrial Engineering at Atma Jaya Jogjakarta University. Upon completing her education in 2003, she joined PTFI as a non-staff technician in Grasberg mine, an industry not typically associated with women.
Working in an open pit mine can be both physically and mentally challenging. as the conditions are often cool temperature with the high elevation, rainy and foggy, and most of people thought women wouldn’t make it in a male-dominated work.
Rode embraced every opportunity to gain hands-on experience and understanding of the industry.
In an exclusive interview, Rode Ajomi spoke about her achievements.
She shared her recollection of when she first joined the company. “At that time, there were only a handful of women working at the Surface mine.” she said.
Rode’s rise to a managerial position was not without its challenges. Her ascent within the company was characterized by a strong work ethic, dedication, and unwavering commitment. Over the years, she was promoted through various roles within the company.
Rode fondly recalls her significant role as a Grasberg representative in successfully overseeing the PTFI Papuan Sustainable Human Capital Development (PSHCD) program.
“In 2017, my responsibilities involved gathering and overseeing the participation of individuals, particularly from the 7 tribes, in the PSHCD program. This initiative was aligned with the company’s dedication to fostering the development of native employees, a vital component of our core business strategy,” she explained.
In September 2023, Rode reached a historic milestone in her career. She was appointed as the first Papuan woman manager for Grasberg Earthworks PTFI. This appointment not only marked a significant achievement for Rode but also signified a pivotal moment in the mining industry.
She acknowledged that assuming this manager role in a predominantly male-dominated workplace is a strategic position in addressing various challenges.
As the Grasberg Earthworks manager, Rode’s responsibilities will revolve around ensuring the smooth operation of administrative tasks for the entire field crew, with the aim of minimizing any hindrances that could impact their work performance.
“Health and safety constitute a shared responsibility between management and employees. Timely handling of administrative matters, including payments, leave planning, and leave approvals for the crew, is of utmost importance,” Rode explained.
“These aspects are critical in maintaining focus and creating a more comfortable and conducive work environment for our staff to perform their tasks effectively,” she added.
“I have consistently strived to maintain a strong working relationship with field crews who have been dedicated to their jobs for an extended period,” Rode elaborated.
During her interactions with the crew on various occasions, she consistently adopts a personal approach and encourages open discussions.
“I firmly believe that through a personal approach and facilitating open dialogue with the crew, we can guide our staff toward takin the necessary steps to reduce the likelihood of accidents and injuries, bringing us closer to the goal of sustainable and safe productions,” she emphasized.
(Puspita Saraswati)
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