RYAN CHIGOCHE
A female motor mechanic, Memory Bere, (pictured) who has been practicing for seven years, is inspired to change the narrative that the profession is not for the girl child.
Bere, known in social media circles as Memo Makanika is determined to change the perception and has vowed to make sure that there will be more female mechanics in the near future.
She is driven by the struggles she faced as a female in the male-dominated profession.
Bere said male-dominated industries and occupations are particularly vulnerable to reinforcing masculine stereotypes that make it even more difficult for women to excel.
“Starting up in this trade I didn’t have it easy. There was no support of any kind. If I could find a sponsor I want to travel around the country in schools so as to encourage girls to take up these so-called male-dominated professions.
“This will also widen career options for girls,” she said.
She added: “A lot of girls have been reaching out to me asking for advice on how they can enter the trade and how best they can overcome some of the problems they face in the trade as women. So I try all means to help and motivate them.”
She said it was not easy to find a female mentor in the industry and sexual harassment was a big problem in the field.
Bere called on the government to support women in the field.
“Government should also chip in by supporting female role models in such fields so that more girls can be taught, mentored and motivated to take up such professions. It will give them someone whom they can all look up to,” she said.
Bere, who was born in Chipinge and then moved to Chitungwiza where her father inspired her to quickly gain a fascination for cars and engines when she was still a child, said she aspired to establish her own workshop, where she would mentor and train other female mechanics interested in the trade.
She wants to liberate, mentor and transform girls into role models and agents of change in communities across Zimbabwe, through sustained innovative approaches to skill impartation and healthy mental guidance.
Through her influence, she also wants to let women know that they can excel in any trade.
In recent times women have been encouraged to take up professions that are male-dominated so as to widen their career options.
They have been wide calls to encourage girls to embrace subjects that open doors to traditionally male-dominated sectors — and make sure they have the knowledge and skills they need to succeed regardless of where they choose to work.
She has previously worked in Durban. Today, Bere has garnered a massive following on social media platforms with over 15 000 followers which could be a bigger clientele pool.
