Breaking barriers as a female mechanic

Clad in a navy blue overall, Gladys Nakayi feels so awesome in her work robes and cool when she sees people stare at her in shock and awe as she changes brake pads or balance wheels.

Against the will of her father, who had wanted her to  became a laboratory technician and thought it shameful for a woman to be a mechanic, 19-year-old Nakayi is one of the few females in the heavily male dominated industry.

Nakayi who scored aggregate 43 at O level found the idea of female mechanics intriguing and decided to enroll. Currently taking part in a  a Motor vehicle mechanics training at Muwa Auto Services garage in Wandegeya, she told Petride Mudoola what mechanics is really like. 

Gladys Nakayi, a 19-year-old lady mechanic of Muwa  Auto Services garage in Wandegeya  repairs  a vehicle. (Photo by Petride Mudoola)

There is always shock the first time people hear about the lady mechanic profession, there is always request to explain 'how come?' (as if there must be an incredible story to your choice), there is always prejudice and misunderstanding to some degree, says Nakayi.

Much of it comes from the fact that a layperson is not familiar with the details of a mechanic's profession that's why you have got stereotypes coming in from every corner, doubling when mixed with gender, she observes.

Working as a mechanic is something that Nakayi had always dreamt of doing, it has been far from an easy road, being laughed at the first time she went to mechanical workshops requesting for an apprenticeship.

"The first time I sat behind the wheel was terrifying, but I picked it up pretty quickly. A lot of teasing goes on where I work, but everyone gets the same treatment. Male or female, if you are shy or timid, a garage would be the wrong place to work," Nakayi says.

The reality is that you are surrounded by men at first she felt she had to prove herself. Once she felt she had, it was fine. But the most important thing is that you are doing the job properly, she adds.

Similar to her father, Nakayi's friends mocked her decision but if being a mechanic is your thing, then go for it, get in to it and don't let the issue of male/female get in the way, Nakayi advises females intending to take up  mechanics as a profession.

"It's dirty and can be really hard work. Awkward, uncomfortable positions held while lying in a puddle of water are common but the guys I work with are all pretty great. Super helpful and easy to get along with," Nakayi says.

Nakayi says mechanics changed her life in that she hopes to see more women in the industry. Her role as a female mechanic has proved that being a woman means she is more empathetic and honest something that customers appreciate.

"I think that at the end of the day if it's something that you enjoy, nothing else should interfere with that. If it's something that you want to do concentrate on what you want then go and get it," Nakayi recommends.

Nakayi is so far good at changing brake pads, removing shock absorbers and servicing car engines.  Nakayi who describes herself as "free styler" in a guy world says she wants to take up the male dominated profession.

"My clients keep coming back because they prefer the lady mechanic since I   take good care of their cars unlike my male peers who take their jobs for granted," according to Nakayi.

Asked how she relates with men in the garage, Nakayi responds;  "I have a good working relationship with  my workmates though some of them want to be in a personal relationship with them yet mixing relationship with jobs affects one's ability to work.

Nakayi's boss speaks out

Learners are assessed before they are enrolled into motor vehicle mechanics; Edgar Muwanga the proprietor Muwa Auto services says Nakayi went through the same procedure to ascertain whether she is energetic enough to qualify for the job.

Nakayi seemed to be weak according to the assessment but because she had expressed interest in mechanics, he had to give   her the opportunity to try her luck since some of the work requires intelligence and not energy.

"With the expertise acquired, Nakayi can rightly tell a part some engine for that reason, identify one that is faulty. She can also examine shock absorbers as well as inspect the suspension system and part of the engine," Muwanga says.

Muwanga says, "Having acquired such expertise just within a short period of seven months training as well as expressed interest in mechanics, Nakayi will definitely specialise in engines."

Clients speak out

Nathan Abigaba, a lecturer at the faculty of Agriculture a regular client at Muwa Auto Services says his vehicles were previously repaired and serviced by male mechanics but when a female mechanic was employed, he contacted Nakayi to take over.

Abigaba  says"Lady mechanic's performance has been pragmatic across majority of the training programmes and being more detail-oriented makes women particularly excel as mechanics that's why I prefer Nakayi when it comes  to repairing my vehicles.

"I personally witnessed that employing women within a male dominated industry such as mechanical workshops meant improving business reputation with customers because clients need trustworthy automotive maintenance which most women tend to be," says Abigaba