Women, and to be a bit more specific, Arab women, are constantly being told what to do and how to do it.
When it comes to a region where women still face challenges in their fight for equality, stepping into men-dominated fields is one thing we don't need to be warned about.
Here’s what it feels like, from a woman's perspective, to work in a man’s field:
1. “Shou sayer 3layké?”
“Why do this to yourself?”
Well, I don't know, honestly. Maybe some of us actually enjoy working in highly competitive fields?
Contrary to popular belief, being a woman and a hard worker is not a form of masochism.
It is shocking, I know...
2. “Why don’t you choose something more 'female-mind oriented' like an education degree?”
Women are not obliged to base their entire future on what would make society feel less threatened.
3. “Why put all this effort when you’re going to end up in the kitchen?”
If a lucky, incredibly lucky woman is to marry someone who might ask this question, of course, the kitchen is where she will end up.
Isn't it where we keep the knives? *Psycho theme song*
4. “Men do not like it when their wives out-earn them.”
“We teach girls to shrink themselves, to make themselves smaller. We say to girls, you can have ambition, but not too much. You should aim to be successful, but not too successful. Otherwise, you would threaten the man. Because I am female, I am expected to aspire to marriage. I am expected to make my life choices always keeping in mind that marriage is the most important.” -- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, We Should All Be Feminists.
5. “Being on site is not for women, stick to a desk job.”
In engineering, this comment is almost inevitable. Most companies in the Arab World do not even hire women on construction sites because the environment is too tough for them.
We are creatures who bleed monthly and give birth to other human beings. Creatures who run nations, build urban spaces, and can even fix your car.
Aren't these signs of physical and mental strength? Haven't women proven themselves enough already?
6. "You don’t look like an engineer/doctor/lawyer”
In other words, you don’t look like the stereotypical nerdy girl.
Read a book. Step aside. Thank you.
7. No matter how hard you work, they will assume you used your sexuality to get ahead
You just got promoted and your colleagues are trying to know how this happened.
Was it the sleepless nights, the extra effort, or your impeccable performance that earned you your new position?
Nope, apparently, a promotion’s sole pre-requisite is dating your boss. *eye-roll*
8. You have to work extra hard to be taken seriously
Alone in a room full of men, it typically gets harder for a woman to express herself.
No matter how educated or civilized the workplace is, it remains baffling how challenging it is for a woman to prove her worth in an environment where flirting and demeaning tasks are considered normal.
But, nevertheless women, keep on persisting!