Meet the Female Car Mechanic Defying the Odds in a Male-Dominated Field

In 2005, Rabeya heard about CARE Bangladesh’s skills training program for women. Participants could choose between receiving sewing training, which included a sewing machine to help them start their own business, or enrolling in a driving course and subsequently be offered a job as a driver — all as part of an initiative to support women in becoming financially independent.

“Hearing about driving, I thought, ‘I never drove and never saw a woman driving, so this is a great opportunity,’” she says.

Not everyone agreed. Rabeya’s in-laws told her that because she was married, there was no need for her to participate in this program. But she was determined. Rabeya convinced her husband to get his parents’ blessing and with that, she enrolled.

Rabeya thrived in the driving program and developed more of an interest in fixing cars than driving them.

Today, she works as a mechanic, to the disbelief of her community members, who she says were surprised to see a woman excel in a male-dominated field.

Rabeya is now able to financially support both her husband and 3-year-old son, as well as her parents. Her job has brought security after years of instability.

When Rabeya thinks of her childhood, she has a vivid image of her father’s bleeding hands. As a farmer, he would sell pineapples without gloves, and would have wounds on his hands as a result. “I picture his suffering. I still feel the pain in my heart,” Rabeya says between tears.

As the eldest of six, Rabeya grew up not knowing when her next meal would come. “Some days we would eat at noon, and other days we didn’t eat … sometimes we starved. Starving was so incredibly painful.”

The family would wait every day to see if her father earned enough to return home with a small portion of rice for dinner. Every day brought uncertainty, and Rabeya resolved that she would one day earn enough money to support her parents.

When Rabeya received her first paycheck as a mechanic, she bought her parents a year’s worth of rice.

“I cannot express that feeling … That moment was full of joy.”
Rabeya has plans to open her own garage in the future and says it’s important for women to either work or start their own businesses.

“I will say that if you have confidence and try, whether you are a boy or girl, you will accomplish your goal.”

Video shot by Josh Estey