Jeddah - (AFP) - In a car repair shop in Jeddah, Saudi women work side by side with men... Just four years after women were allowed to drive in the kingdom, they entered the world of mechanics, which was also the preserve of men.

The "Petromin Express" workshop, located on the Red Sea coast in western Saudi Arabia, decided to implement the approach that the government is pushing towards in terms of opening work fields for men and women in various sectors. It was not without the difficulties the women concerned faced when entering a male-dominated field around the world, and even more so, of course, in the conservative kingdom.

The mechanics told AFP about the first months on the job, which raised doubts and anxiety for them, while they were sometimes subjected to mistreatment from some customers.

Ghada Ahmed told AFP that an "old man" came to the workshop and ordered all the women out, saying he did not want them near his car, preferring to deal with a man.

"In the beginning, it was natural that no one would trust me, because I am a woman," said Ahmed, who wore oily white gloves and a long blue coat, adding, "It is something new for them (men customers)... after years of dealing only with men."

As she struggled to learn the basics like checking engine oil and changing tires, there were times when Ahmed wondered if these men were really right.
"I struggled at first, and I would come home sad with swollen hands and cry and say, 'This job is not for me. It seems they (the men) are right'," she says.
But as her skills developed, and with her, her self-confidence, there were clients who supported her.

And she continues happily, "A while ago, a man came and said, 'I am very proud of you. You are an honor for us. You are a crown on our heads.'"

The promotion of women's rights is among the most prominent points of Vision 2030 launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which aims to diversify the economy and change the image of Saudi Arabia's militancy prevailing in the world.

In recent years, the kingdom has reduced "guardianship" rules that give men sweeping powers over women in their families. Despite this policy of social openness, the Saudi crown prince is being criticized for suppressing and imprisoning women rights advocates who demanded reforms.

The mechanics told AFP that they would not have embarked on such a arduous profession without their husbands' consent.
Ola Flemban, a 44-year-old mother of four, says she heard about the job via Snapchat, and immediately asked her husband, Raafat, if she could apply for this profession. He agreed and helped her prepare for the interview by teaching her the names of different car parts.
After getting the job, Ola quickly surpassed her husband and their 23-year-old son in automotive skill and knowledge.
"Now she has experience in different types of cars, how to check them carefully, and how to change the oil. She even checks my cars now," says Raafat Flimban.
Thanks to the support of her family, it is easy for Ola to deal with the customers in the workshop.
"At first, they were very surprised that women were working in this field. They would ask us how we liked this field," she says. "This is the question we are asked the most," she adds.
While she was speaking to AFP, Meshaal, 20, was entering his car into the workshop to change the engine oil.
Meshaal admits that he was "shocked" when he found out that a woman would do the job, but he was largely calm.
"Once they've come to this place, they've definitely trained well," he says. "Perhaps they understand cars more than I do," he laughs.
Petromin's vice president says his company was "confident that this initiative will encourage more women to join the automotive sector at all levels."
Perhaps the most satisfied with the Jeddah workshop initiative are the women drivers in the city who feel more comfortable when they take their car to a place where women work.
"We make women feel comfortable when we work on their car," says Angham Jidawi, 30.
She explains, "Some women feel ashamed when they deal with men, so they do not know how to discuss with men to find out what is happening in their car. (...) As for us, they discuss and ask a lot."
For Jidawi, this job was a dream she thought impossible.
She says, "My dream was to join the automotive field, but of course, as a Saudi woman, this specialty was not available. So, when the opportunity came, I applied without hesitation, and thank God I was accepted."
She is now studying to take a driving test and get her driver's license in a month.
"Now I know the problems that the car can face," says Jeddawi, adding, "If a problem occurs to me in the middle of the road, I know how to act."