They don’t just drive: in Saudi Arabia, women are now also repairing cars

Just four years ago, Saudi women didn’t even know how to drive. Now, a group of women goes further and learn how to repair vehicles in a laboratory in Jeddah, challenging the mores of a still very conservative kingdom.

Although the government claims to encourage women’s work, women’s foray into an industry like mechanicsdominated by men in Saudi Arabia and much of the world, it is not always well received.

Ghada Ahmad works at the Petromin Express workshop which has others four employees. An “important” customer recently ordered all mechanics to go out and do not go near your carinvoice.

“At first it’s normal that they don’t trust us because I’m a woman,” says this 30-year-old mechanic, dressed in a blue overalls and white gloves stained with oil.

“It’s something new for them. After years of seeing only men,” she admits.

When she learned the basics of how to check the oil level or change tires, she was assailed with doubts. She “she went home with swollen hands and cried saying: ‘this job is not for me, they are right’“, To explain.

But the skills acquired and the encouraging comments of other customers They increased their confidence.

“A man told me: ‘I’m very proud of you. they honor us“remembers the young woman, particularly happy with this job due to the interaction with clients.

Petromin, the large automotive service company that owns the Jeddah workshop, does not hesitate to promote it.

Its vice president, Tariq Javed, believes that “this initiative it will encourage more women to participate to the automotive industry at all levels “.

“Vision 2030” project

The integration of women into the public sphere is part of the “Vision 2030”, the strategy of Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman for restore the controversial image of his country and diversify an extremely oil-dependent economy.

In 2018, Saudi women were allowed to drive after decades of prohibition. The granting of this type of rights goes hand in hand with a relentless repression against feminist activists who claims them.

The country has also relaxed the rules of “protection” who govern the authority men exercise over the women in their families. All of Yedá’s mechanics make sure they would never have worked without him. consent of the husband.

Before applying for the job, Ola Flimban, 44, was a housewife and asked her husband, Rafat, for her opinion, who helped her prepare for the interview and memorize the name of the pieces.

In the workshop, Ola has to deal with even the most skeptical customers.

“They are surprised that there are women who work in this field and they ask us how we fell in love with the profession. This is the most common question, “she says.

Feminization of the workshop adapts to the clients, who they are more relaxed than talking to a mansays Angham Jeddawi, a 30-year-old employee.

For her, doing this job means realizing a lifelong dream, which she previously believed would be impossible.

“My dream was to get into the automotive industry, but for a Saudi woman this was not possible. So when the opportunity presented itself, I applied immediately,” she says.

This experience also encouraged her to drive and she is studying to get her license.

“Now, if there’s a problem on the road, I’ll know how to react,” he says.

By Robbie Corey-Boulet, AFP

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