Sometimes, taking a chance at something unfamiliar can lead to incredible outcomes. That has been the lesson in my journey as a female pilot.

I am a first-officer pilot for RwandAir. I was one of two women in my pilot training class of 20 people and I'm one of 13 female pilots at RwandAir. If I'm lucky, I might fly with another woman once a month. The rest of the time, I'm navigating the skies and the persistent gender dynamics of a male-dominated industry.

According to a recent International Civil Aviation report on the status of global aviation gender equality, only 4% of pilots globally are women. This means I am not just one of a few in Rwanda, but one of very few worldwide. It is an overwhelming and empowering feeling. For me, it is a privilege to be one of the few, but I want to turn it into an opportunity so we can reach the point where seeing a female pilot moves from being an exception to being a norm.

In Rwanda's rapidly expanding aviation sector, the sight of a woman in the cockpit still turns heads. As one of the few female pilots at RwandAir, I've witnessed firsthand the admiration and shock on passengers' faces when they realise a woman is flying their plane. We have experienced cases where passengers create disturbances or refuse to board flights upon learning a female pilot will fly them.

It's a bittersweet reality that reflects this year's International Women's Day theme: "Accelerate Action: Rights, Equity, Empowerment for All Women and Girls."

How did I end up in this seat in the cockpit? In 2018, I saw an advertisement for cadet pilots on RwandAir. At the time, I was studying software engineering at university. Aviation seemed appealing but distant – I didn't know any pilots personally, and financial barriers typically make this career path inaccessible for many. I applied without much expectation, partly to protect myself from disappointment. But by God's grace, I was accepted.

Family and friends' reactions were mixed. There was excitement but also concern. Some relatives weren't confident in my choice: "Do you have a reference? Who else do you know that's made it?" Others feared I was making a mistake by changing career paths. These concerns mirror the societal expectations that continue to limit women's professional horizons.

Despite these challenges, flying has become my passion. Yes, barriers exist from societal expectations about women's work-life balance and systematic recruitment inequalities. Still, every day brings a new opportunity to demonstrate that gender has no bearing on capability.

Yes, people are still getting used to seeing women in the pilot seat, but flying for RwandAir has been an amazing experience. I am a Rwandan female pilot who gets to fly for our country’s national airline, and RwandAir has created a culture of inclusivity that fosters opportunities for women’s leadership. They have implemented policies that support women throughout their careers, including accommodations for new mothers returning to work.

When new mothers return to flying, they are limited to shorter regional routes and receive breaks in between that they can use as breastfeeding breaks. This helps lessen fatigue and allows for a smoother transition back to work. The company's crew resource management approach also helps break gender barriers by emphasising collaboration over hierarchy.

Esther Mbabazi, RwandAir’s first female pilot, was the only pilot I'd ever heard of when I joined RwandAir. Now, she is a captain, and watching her journey to this day is very inspiring. My other inspiration is our CEO, Yvonne Makolo. She is leading RwandAir and its growth expansions, but she is also leading in the international aviation industry. She was the first woman to serve as the Chairperson for the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Board of Governors. She exemplifies how leadership opportunities for women are expanding at the highest levels in the industry.

The low number of female pilots is not because women lack talent or ambition. It is a result of systematic barriers and societal expectations. Society does not expect women to have a proper work-life balance when they fly because they know they will be away from home. These same societal mindsets and misconceptions have crept into companies and individuals.

We must eliminate those unfounded ideas and increase and extend opportunities to young women. Inclusion is needed to accelerate action that will result in more female pilots and air controllers. I discovered this opportunity through an advertisement, but we must ensure that more women and girls are aware of these opportunities and that they are actively offered to them.

For those of us who have the privilege to serve in these roles, let’s use them to encourage the next generation. Let’s mentor and support young women aspiring to enter our fields. Let’s share our journeys and use them as examples to show that it is possible for them to do so.

For young girls dreaming of careers in aviation, my message is simple: your ambitions are valid, and the sky is not the limit – it's just the beginning. As we celebrate March as Women’s Month, let's move beyond discussions to decisive action so that the next generation of female pilots will not be an exception to the rule.

It's time to accelerate our efforts towards gender equality in aviation. Women can excel in the most challenging environments with proper preparation, training, and community support. I'm honoured to play a small part in this transformation, showing through example that when women are given equal opportunities, everyone soars higher.

The writer is a First Officer Pilot for RwandAir.