Being a motor vehicle mechanic, especially in many African countries, is a preserve for men. Some say that men are ‘born to know everything about cars’, while women are good enough if they can just drive.
In fact, it is presumed that women know nothing about cars, especially when it comes to knowing how vehicles operate, let alone fixing mechanical problems.
But that is not Irene Mukahirwa, one of the best female mechanics in Rwanda. Not even motherhood could stop the 32-year-old, who from an early age vowed to do the kind of work done by boys and excel at it.
Mukahirwa, set to graduate from the Integrated Polytechnic Regional Center (IPRC) Kigali, says that upon completing high school, she thought of studying something that is mostly pursued by boys.
"After completing O-level, I checked through the different courses that were available for me to pursue and I fell for automobile mechanics. From childhood, I have always loved vehicles.
"I knew in this area they undermine what women can do because they believe women or girls know nothing about cars, but I was driven by passion,” says Mukahirwa.
In 2013, Mukahirwa, who was born in the current Rusizi District, got an opportunity to intern at the garage of the cement manufacturer, CIMERWA, located in Bugarama, Rusizi District.
"It is here that I really started practicing motor vehicle mechanics and fell in love with it. Even when I went to Nyanza District later to continue my studies, I continued to practice and gained more experience,” says Mukahirwa, whom we found at the Korea Automobile High Technology Ltd Garage located in Gikondo, Kicukiro District.
After A-level, Mukahirwa thought of getting herself a driving license, which was one of her other goals, a mechanic with a driving license. However, she got married one year after completing secondary education.
The mother of five did not give up on her ambition. She decided to continue with her studies and joined IPRC.
"By the time I decided to go back to school at IPRC, I already had three children and when I had just started, I realised I was pregnant again. Still, I never gave up.
"When you want something, you go after it. It was really challenging with three kids and one on the way but I persisted. The fourth child came and the fifth as well but I pushed on. Now I am set to graduate on May 15,” Mukahirwa says.
Today, Mukahirwa is one of the best mechanics of Hyundai vehicles in Rwanda. She didn’t just defy personal odds but also societal stereotypes, as many tend to think a girl or woman can’t be a mechanic.
"All I can say is that girls don’t need to listen to detractors. If you want something, go for it, even if people say ‘oh, this kind of work is for boys or men’. There is nothing a boy can do that you can’t do,” the jolly mechanic says.
Mukahirwa says that today, being an automobile mechanic doesn’t necessarily mean going under a vehicle clad in oil-soaked overalls.
"Today most vehicles are computerised. I use machines to detect and fix mechanical problems. This is what I do most and it earns me a living. I can say I make a decent salary out of this job,” she says.
Elie Ndikubwimana, the technical director and engineer at the garage which specialises in Korea-made cars, says that Mukahirwa is one of the best mechanics they have and she is sought after by many clients.
"She is hardworking, dedicated and efficient in whatever she does. Every client she serves leaves behind a positive review. We are proud to say that she outperforms her male colleagues,” Ndikubwimana tells PEOPLE.
Defying odds
It hasn’t been a smooth ride for Mukahirwa, who says that right from school, she was discouraged from pursuing her passion, mostly finding herself with maybe another two girls in a classroom full of boys.
She beat boys in class, always emerging the first in a class of mechanics. Most of the girls would drop out along the way to focus on other areas but she never did.
"My initial dream was to be a pilot but I realised that it could be a far-fetched dream. I said to myself that if I can’t be a pilot, at least I can do what I love, be a motor vehicle mechanic.
"When I started off, sometimes I would get shy upon realising that I am the only girl but I continued to encourage more girls to take up skills which are perceived to be for boys. Today when I see girls coming here to do internship, I encourage them to encourage others,” Mukahirwa says.
On a positive note, Mukahirwa also found out that working with men or boys is the best thing as they eventually become supportive and make it easier for one to go about their work without any challenges, helping where one needs help.
"I am requesting the Government of Rwanda to put more effort in encouraging girls to take up skills which many people say are gender-specific. If we are talking of job creation, we have to break such barriers,” Mukahirwa asserts.
She also calls on parents to support their children whenever they show interest in doing something, even if it is presumed to be for the other sex.
"When my parents saw that I was interested in motor vehicle mechanics, they had no option but to support me because they knew I was passionate about it. All parents need to do the same thing,” she notes.
Mukahirwa says that one of the reasons her husband loves her is her fearlessness and determination, and this is what has sustained them to be where they are today. She lives in Gisozi, Kigali with her husband and children.