Picture used for illustrative purposes alone

Noticing the common lack of knowledge among female drivers on handling car emergencies, three UAE expat women are organizing a workshop to enable females to take full control over their vehicles.
Yemeni Rihab Awadh, 24, and Emiratis Noura Al Hajeri, 25, and Kaltham Al Ketbi, 24, are launching "Empowering Auto Workshop" on September 24 to give insight on car damage procedures and educate young women on basic vehicle essentials.
"It is an existing problem in the society that has not been dealt with. When women face emergencies, they often resort to a male family member or colleague due to their lack of knowledge on how to charge car batteries or change tires," said Awadh.
"Women are generally disinterested in knowing more about it because the automobiles industry is male-dominated."
She noted the challenges female drivers face in going to garages or repair centers.
"There's still social awkwardness and taboo around women visiting repair centers, and their lack of awareness often makes them subject to repairmen's unrealistic overprices," added the UAE-based entrepreneur.
The free workshop, which will be conducted by technicians from Al Nabooda Automobiles, will be divided into three main sections that will introduce participants to the theoretical and practical side of the automobile industry.
Al Ketbi said the first part will give general knowledge on basic car functionalities, while the second part will zoom in on major car parts before moving into the third part that would train participants on changing oil, tires, brakes and charging batteries.
Other partners include Emirates Driving Institute, which will hand out certificates and giveaways, and Emirates NBD who offered financial support for the workshop.
The trio are aiming to organize four workshops in Dubai and one in Abu Dhabi to target over 100 women from different nationalities.
The first workshop, which will take place at Al Nabooda Automobiles premises on Shaikh Zayed Road, will target 20 women above 18 years old as a start.
"Knowledge of car essentials will give women more confidence in their driving skills and independence to handle emergencies," said Ketbi.
Awadh noted, "Many people ask how is fixing cars considered an empowerment. It is about enabling women to do what society tells them they cannot do."

Education system needed

Dubai female taxi driver Etsegenet Woldegebriel said dealing with emergency cases are taught to employees at the taxi company. She said, "The only thing we struggle with is the heavy luggage and the long working hours."
Another driver Mona Saleh said while employees are trained, changing tires remains a difficult task. "When a problem occurs, we are able to detect it and send it to the right person-in-charge," she said.
Sharjah resident Haneen Hassan noted a general lack of awareness about car damage procedures. "My brother taught me emergency basics, so I'm able to help others, but women in general don't know how to change tires, charge their car or fill up gas."
The 25-year old added driving schools should include basic training. "Even if we don't deal with emergencies ourselves, at least it will enable us to tackle the problem and give specific instructions to repairmen."
Echoing similar thoughts was Sharjah resident Natalie Baghdoyan who said education systems should include a compulsory course to teach car damage procedures to help combat the general stereotype of male domination in automobile industry.
"We are in an era where cars are not only a necessity for males but also for females. Women should learn about their cars from an early stage," said Baghdoyan.
About the workshop
Venue: Al Nabooda Automobiles, Shaikh Zayed Road.
Date: September 24
Duration: one day from 10 a.m. to 5p.m.
Entry charges: free
To register: email at mootary.uae@gmail.com
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com

Sherouk Zakaria

sherouk@khaleejtimes.com