Somali female taxi driver defies taboo to prove her mettle

[Lebron James]

The 29-year-old Haawo Mohamud Farah, alias Xaawo Jookar, is a tricycle (Tuktuk) taxi driver in a patriarchal society, and country where women are intimidated to venture out of their comfort zones by militant groups.

Mohamud, a mother of five, ventured into this male-dominated field after she was divorced and left with the responsibility of singlehandedly taking care of her young children.

Since she joined the male-dominated industry six months ago, her decision attracted hate and love in equal measures from the town residents, relatives and friends. “The local people could not believe a woman could do this business, and that is why they are amused when they see me driving,” she told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Mohamud joined the highly competitive and male-dominated job after she was divorced by her husband. “I had no option other than looking for any job that will facilitate me to place my family’s needs on the table. It was difficult deciding on becoming a tricycle driver in a town whose community has assigned roles to people based on their gender,” said Mohamud.

In Somalia, women are expected to bear children and be home keepers in their community. According to Mohamud, the taxi business is extremely competitive since it is the only one offering sustainable income to the majority of the youth in the town and many parts of the war-ravaged country.

Mohamud said despite the challenges, especially during the night by some wayward customers, she enjoys her work since it is helping her cater to household bills.

“My children are getting the best care, the best education, and the best dressing. If I did not join this business I would be begging in the streets or misused by men for a peanut to feed my children,” Mohamud said.

Somali female taxi driver defies taboo to prove her mettle

She throws plumes of dust in the rugged streets of Adado, a tiny town in the semi-autonomous Galmudug region, central Somalia, as she speeds off to work every morning leaving behind pedestrians holding into their cheeks with palms in utter awe.

www.hiiraan.com

 

[NinWero]

Excellent news. Women in Somali Society have always been the hardest workers.

We oppress our women like those in the Middle East and other places.

 

[Riya.]

That’s right girl no shame in any shaaqosuper woman

 

[Riya.]

Excellent news. Women in Somali Society have always been the hardest workers.

We oppress our women like those in the Middle East and other places.

Agreed but we have it a little easier than Middle Eastern/south Asian women. It’s hell for them.

 

[induction]

Excellent news. Women in Somali Society have always been the hardest workers.

We oppress our women like those in the Middle East and other places.

we oppress them but not nearly to the extent of middle easterners. stop the cap man, those guys legit hate women

 

[Richard Pearson]

The 29-year-old Haawo Mohamud Farah, alias Xaawo Jookar, is a tricycle (Tuktuk) taxi driver in a patriarchal society, and country where women are intimidated to venture out of their comfort zones by militant groups.

Mohamud, a mother of five, ventured into this male-dominated field after she was divorced and left with the responsibility of singlehandedly taking care of her young children.

Since she joined the male-dominated industry six months ago, her decision attracted hate and love in equal measures from the town residents, relatives and friends. “The local people could not believe a woman could do this business, and that is why they are amused when they see me driving,” she told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Somalis will shame her for working in a male-dominated field but won't shame her ex-husband for not fulfilling his rights as a father.

 

[Based]

She has 5 kids and she’s driving a bijaaj… where is the useless deadbeat husband that allows a mother of 5 to drive a bijaaj. Poor hooyo

 

[Abdisamad]

She has 5 kids and she’s driving a bijaaj… where is the useless deadbeat husband that allows a mother of 5 to drive a bijaaj. Poor hooyo

He could be dead? You never know life's hard in Somalia

 

[Angelina]

Women in Somalia have always worked hard jobs. They dominate the markets and are the ones that sell fruit and veg and soon they’ll be dominating this market. A mother will do anything to put food on the table for her kids.

 

[Angelina]

She has 5 kids and she’s driving a bijaaj… where is the useless deadbeat husband that allows a mother of 5 to drive a bijaaj. Poor hooyo

As @Abdisamad has pointed out, he could be dead or disabled ect. You never really know.

Futhermore, since we don’t have a stable government, we don’t have courts that can enforce child support yet. You can’t trust a divorced man to willingly give money as they’ll be focused on marrying again and having more children and that requires money. You’ll find that many will often opt to abandon their old set of kids so that they can remarry.

 

[Burqad]

Somali women have always worked as taxi drivers in Somalia. Idk what this racist orientalist framing that white people do comes from.

my aunt worked as one, and most women in my family drive for themselves.

If she has 5 children either her clan or her husband should step up and make sure that she doesn’t need to work for low pay.

 

[Baarisiyomoos]

Somali women have always worked as taxi drivers in Somalia. Idk what this racist orientalist framing that white people do comes from.

my aunt worked as one, and most women in my family drive for themselves.

If she has 5 children either her clan or her husband should step up and make sure that she doesn’t need to work for low pay.

I don’t know where you live but in all my time in Xamar I have never seen a single woman drive a car, let alone a bajaaj. Either way I’m glad this woman is able to provide for her family and overcome the adversity.

 

[jemappelle]

Mohamud, a mother of five

?

 

[jemappelle]

He could be dead? You never know life's hard in Somalia

It said in the post he divorced her