Against the Sparks, Driven by Courage: Meet Nafisatu, NP’s First Female Welder
I completed my primary education at Saint Theresa Primary School, where I attained my NPSE. I continued at Municipal Secondary School for my BECE, and then at Queen of the Rosary Secondary School, where I sat for my WASSCE.
After I got pregnant in 2012, I dropped out of school. My mother wanted me to enroll in tailoring, but I was not interested. Later, a family member advised me to pursue a technical course at RIBBS Vocational Training Centre and Craftsha Training Centre, explaining that technical skills could provide a better future.
When I went to register, I found myself torn between options: tailoring, welding, and auto mechanics. Unsure of which path to take, I made a spontaneous decision and chose welding. On my very first day, I was taken to the welding shop, where I met two other women who were also there to learn. We did not even have proper safety gear. That evening, I suffered a severe eye reaction from being exposed to welding without adequate protection. I endured the pain silently because I was afraid to tell my mother how I had spent the day. When she eventually found out, she scolded me. Ironically, instead of discouraging me, the experience strengthened my determination to continue.
Although I was already a young mother, I remained committed to learning the trade. Eventually, the other two women left, leaving me as the only female trainee in the welding shop. While I received support from some instructors, there was little encouragement from home. My family did not believe welding was a suitable career for a woman. Whenever welding projects became available, they would often choose male welders over me because they doubted a woman's ability to perform the same work.
Many people viewed welding as a dirty and masculine profession. Some women avoided me, and others looked at me as though I had chosen the wrong path. Friends, family members, and even members of the public questioned my decision. Because my parents are educated and had hoped I would pursue a university education, some relatives believed I had become unambitious and unserious about life.
The lack of support was difficult. Even my friends looked down on me when I told them I wanted to build a career in welding. Some would mock me in public whenever they saw me wearing my overalls, while others avoided associating with me altogether. Some family members even advised their children not to follow in my footsteps because of the hardships I faced. I believe this is one of the major reasons many women do not pursue technical and vocational careers. Despite encouragement from some quarters, the social pressure and stigma can be overwhelming.
In my experience, the challenges women face in vocational professions are no different from the challenges encountered in many other careers. Women entering these fields often face discrimination, inappropriate comments, and doubts about their competence. Their knowledge and abilities are frequently disregarded simply because they are women. While I acknowledge that there are certain physical and anatomical differences between men and women, I do not believe these differences prevent women from excelling in technical professions. Women are capable of performing the vast majority of tasks that men can perform. As a woman, I am proud that I never gave up on my dream despite the endless discouragements from family, friends, colleagues, customers, and society at large. At one point, I was the only female welder in the entire Bo District. Even after moving to Freetown, it was still very rare to find another female welder.
I am convinced that the lack of female representation and the many barriers women face are among the main reasons why so few women venture into STEM and technical careers. However, my journey proves that with determination, resilience, and courage, women can succeed in these fields and inspire others to follow.
After I got pregnant in 2012, I dropped out of school. My mother wanted me to enroll in tailoring, but I was not interested. Later, a family member advised me to pursue a technical course at RIBBS Vocational Training Centre and Craftsha Training Centre, explaining that technical skills could provide a better future.
When I went to register, I found myself torn between options: tailoring, welding, and auto mechanics. Unsure of which path to take, I made a spontaneous decision and chose welding. On my very first day, I was taken to the welding shop, where I met two other women who were also there to learn. We did not even have proper safety gear. That evening, I suffered a severe eye reaction from being exposed to welding without adequate protection. I endured the pain silently because I was afraid to tell my mother how I had spent the day. When she eventually found out, she scolded me. Ironically, instead of discouraging me, the experience strengthened my determination to continue.
Although I was already a young mother, I remained committed to learning the trade. Eventually, the other two women left, leaving me as the only female trainee in the welding shop. While I received support from some instructors, there was little encouragement from home. My family did not believe welding was a suitable career for a woman. Whenever welding projects became available, they would often choose male welders over me because they doubted a woman's ability to perform the same work.
Many people viewed welding as a dirty and masculine profession. Some women avoided me, and others looked at me as though I had chosen the wrong path. Friends, family members, and even members of the public questioned my decision. Because my parents are educated and had hoped I would pursue a university education, some relatives believed I had become unambitious and unserious about life.
The lack of support was difficult. Even my friends looked down on me when I told them I wanted to build a career in welding. Some would mock me in public whenever they saw me wearing my overalls, while others avoided associating with me altogether. Some family members even advised their children not to follow in my footsteps because of the hardships I faced. I believe this is one of the major reasons many women do not pursue technical and vocational careers. Despite encouragement from some quarters, the social pressure and stigma can be overwhelming.
In my experience, the challenges women face in vocational professions are no different from the challenges encountered in many other careers. Women entering these fields often face discrimination, inappropriate comments, and doubts about their competence. Their knowledge and abilities are frequently disregarded simply because they are women. While I acknowledge that there are certain physical and anatomical differences between men and women, I do not believe these differences prevent women from excelling in technical professions. Women are capable of performing the vast majority of tasks that men can perform. As a woman, I am proud that I never gave up on my dream despite the endless discouragements from family, friends, colleagues, customers, and society at large. At one point, I was the only female welder in the entire Bo District. Even after moving to Freetown, it was still very rare to find another female welder.
I am convinced that the lack of female representation and the many barriers women face are among the main reasons why so few women venture into STEM and technical careers. However, my journey proves that with determination, resilience, and courage, women can succeed in these fields and inspire others to follow.
"While I acknowledge that there are certain physical and anatomical differences between men and women, I do not believe these differences prevent women from excelling in technical professions. "
NP remains dedicated to its "1st for Customer Care" motto, ensuring that our growth translates into better services and community development across the West African sub-region.