In many African societies, there are some certain occupations that a woman is not expected to venture into. When they do, they are often faced with all sorts of stigma and discrimination, but thankfully many women are overcoming these barriers!
Unicef Ghana shared this inspiring story of Rosmary Amponsah, a welding student who is following her passion against what people say. Read below:
My mother said I should become a policewoman, a nurse or a doctor.
She said those are the jobs that people respect. When I left high school, there was very little to do. I worked at a filling station selling petrol but had very little fulfillment. I always asked myself, what if this company collapses or the owner decides to sack me?
My father brought me here to learn welding. My mother hated the idea and always compares me with my sister who went into nursing training. But my dad supports me. Everybody says it’s a man’s job. In my class, there are fifteen boys and I was the first girl to join them.
I walk a very long distance to get to school and each time, I get someone who passes a negative comment. Like the last time, one man saw me and said if I continue with this job I can’t get married and it would be difficult to give birth.
I think they are trying to pull me down but I’m not interested.
Rosmary Amponsah, Welding & Fabrication student, Bechem (BA/R).
