Women comprise of 49.6% of the world’s population. Despite their promising numbers the female gender is continuously faced with a mirage of historical injustices that have significantly affected their progress in the socio-economic and political spheres. More often we see cultural values, traditions, and religious practices been used to curtail women’s rights, and hence even in our modern world gender equality still remains a fallacy.
Despite these injustices, they remain the primary caretakers of the family and the backbone of society. No wonder Napoleon once said, “Give me good mothers and I will give you a good nation.” The progress of nation depends upon the way the mothers bring up their children. And many researches have supported the fact that if women are empowered, it triggers a positive shift in the overall development of communities.
There has been a lot of progress in empowering women across the world to break ceiling in all spheres of life while challenging gender stereotypes. Today we see female leaders, such are like Angela Markel, German Chancellor, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of Liberia. We have also seen growing numbers of women in business in oil, tech, social development amongst others sectors as well as fierce female activists.
It is for this reason that today we feature one Amanya Kuchio who resides in an increasing metropolitan city, and the economic hub for East Africa. As a business woman she has overcome many barriers to set up a delivery business that is widely dominated by men. What makes her story unique is that she is a female motor bike rider who is leading by example – she hits the road to make the deliveries herself. Before you would rarely see female bikers on the road, but it is women like Ms. Kuchio who are challenging gender stereotypes, and showcasing that women can excel in whatever field they wish to pursue.
1. What inspired you to be a rider?
I was keen on beating Nairobi traffic so that I could spend more time with family. It's also something I have always wanted to do and wanted to be counted among the few women who are willing to actualize the thing that most would only admire and dream of
2. What is the most interesting part of your day as a rider?
The surprise on the clients faces when I show up on their door step with a delivery and they realize I'm a woman. Also that the comment from most female clients :"I have never seen a woman doing deliveries, it is so refreshing to see you!"
3. What are some of the challenges you are faced with?
Generally the attitude men have that I may not be able to handle my bike, the risk of accidents because of being on the road all day, the inability to work long hours because I have to available to cater for responsibilities at home, the general poor attitude of drivers towards riders and the stress of worrying about where I will go to the bathroom in between deliveries.
4. You are working in a male dominated field, what do you think makes women shy away from male dominated fields/ especially riding?
a.The risks of riding (being involved in accidents, how aggressive one needs to be on Nairobi roads),
b. the misconception riding is not considered very feminine
c. riding is generally very tiring, so add carrying luggage around to the equation and it will be off putting
d. it may be considered a down-and-dirty kind of job that women may not want to be associated with
5. Opportunities do you think are there women to break this career stereotyping
There are numerous opportunities for women to break this stereotype. To begin with, I belong to a network of 100+ women riders and there are so many others that are out there. Secondly, I hope to change the narrative with this business venture
6. Your parting shot
Women should not be afraid to pursue the things they dream of, because they will likely be more than successful, they will thrive!! So I encourage them to go for it. I desire to break glass ceilings with this business venture..watch this space!
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