Fatimah Ibrahim is a 39 year old widow, a
mother of two, from Borno state. A chance
encounter with her on the street would most
certainly portray her as just one of the thousands
of ordinary women walking the streets of Lagos.
But meeting her at a building site would
startlingly reveal the other side of her! This
woman is a professional painter, tiler, and
plumber! When asked how and why she entered
into professions dominated by men, she had this
to say,
“I have always loved painting .My friend’s
husband who is a painter taught me how to
paint, and I started painting even when my
husband was alive. Later, I picked interest in tiling
and plumbing profession, and I went for the
training. Right now, after my husband’s death, I
am proud to say I am a professional painter, tiler,
and plumber. To me being a woman doesn’t really
matter”
As must be expected, Fatimah is confronted with
some challenges which centers mainly on gender
disparity. “It’s been hard getting work. Some
people give me jobs to do, and they are never
disappointed; but others are just reluctant to
trust me with their buildings, because they still
find it difficult to believe the fact that a woman
can do these jobs, and even do them better than
men
"She called on the public and the government to
give her contracts and test her level of capability.
She also stressed that these were her means of
livelihood. “I am a widow. I have two children
aged 13 and 9.I am not begging the public for
food, as I have been blessed with the means of
providing for my children. All I am asking if for
Individuals, contractors, Government to give me
jobs so I can make money and take care of my
children and other widows who are not so
fortunate to have vocations like mine”
By Freelance reporter, Austin Edoho.
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