Young Woman Now Owns Her Mechanics Shop (Something New in Her Country)

In a country where beliefs regarding gender roles are conservative, a young woman – the first female motor mechanic in the Upper Egypt region – shattered a stereotype by opening her own car maintenance center.

“It’s not only about achieving my career dreams but also giving a helping hand to other women who are facing social challenges to become mechanics,” says Lekaa El Kholy, 24, who has been repairing cars for more than a decade now. “I’m sure there are many other women out there who are passionate about the job but don’t find adequate support and help.” The young woman learned her craft alongside her father who wanted to confront the belief that women should stay away from traditionally male professions.

El Kholy organizes training workshops for women who are interested in car maintenance. So far, around twenty women participated, and the young entrepreneur intends to hire a few of them at her shop. It is her way to help other women enter the profession since only about a quarter of Egyptian women have paid jobs, compared with 80% of men. She hopes to open several branches in Egypt and to launch a brand that can be franchised abroad. “This is a dream for me and I believe that I will achieve it one day.”