In a special feature today, Al Diyar newspaper wrote that in the midst of harsh economic and living conditions, the Lebanese woman snatched occupations that were earlier male-dominated or exclusive to men. Women in Lebanon have succeeded in all areas despite the tough and inhospitable nature of specific professions, like for example car mechanics, carpentry, driving taxi or mini bus or butcher or greengrocer, Al Diyar said. Iman, 33, holder of degree in business administration, told the newspaper reporter that after her divorce, she worked as a cab driver. “In the beginning, passengers looked surprised, but eventually, they gave in,” Iman boasted, adding, “Today, they wait for me or call me (mainly women) for a ride.” Maryam, for her part, said that after her husband, a carpenter, died, leaving her with three children, she decided to reopen the workshop, noting that she had zero woodworking skills. After two and a half years, Maryam custom made entire products of wood timber and took up decoration and carpentry projects. In turn, Ilham, 23, recounted that after her father, a butcher, died, she had to reopen the meathouse he owned. The butcher job, however, is known to be a man’s profession and is uncommon for ladies in Lebanon, Ilham stated, citing many hindrances she faced in the beginning as well as criticism, but that eventually she managed to command the respect of everyone. (Al Diyar, November 9, 2018)
