Women mechanics mending cars - 19th August 2022

Women are starting to work on cars in garages across Saudi Arabia. The government's expanding women's rights to work as part of the country's economic plan. This moves towards Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman's strategy to widen the nation's economy by 2030.

The first step, which happened in 2018, gave women the right to drive. Now, they're training as mechanics and working on those cars, just like their male colleagues.

The chance to become a mechanic was a dream come true for Angham Jeddawi.

Angham Jeddawi: "My dream was to enter the automotive field, but for a Saudi woman this field was not available. So when the opportunity came, I applied straightaway and was accepted."

Although the chance to learn a technical trade appeals to some women, customers are still getting used to the idea. The women are often asked about their interest in cars, explains Ola Flimban.

Ola Flimban: "At the beginning, they were all surprised. Some customers came up to me and said: "You shocked us, you surprised us". They are surprised that girls work in this field, and ask us to explain how we fell in love with this field. That is the most common question."

The increase in rights opens up more opportunities for women in Saudi Arabia. However, they're still required to get permission from their husband. Ola had no problem getting her husband Rafat's agreement.

Rafat Flimban: "Now she has experience in different car types, how to change oil, how to check cars. She's even checking my car."

Younger generations are adapting to these workplace shifts rapidly. The priority is that people are trained well, for university student Mechaal.

Mechaal: "If they are here, it must mean they are trained. And maybe they understand my car better than me. So it's normal."