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Abu Dhabi Education CouncilTeacher: Amin Mofreh

Ali Ibn Abi Taleb SchoolEnglish Language Arts

Grade: 9 /Name. :

The Woman Breaking the UAE GenderBarrier

Emirati women challenge job stereotypes in the UAE.

By Mohammed N Al Khan, Staff ReporterPublished: 00:00 March 6, 2010Image Credit: Oliver clarke/Gulf News

Mariam Darwish is a service mechanic. She

works at Al Futtaim Motors' Lexus servicecentre. She works on about 40 cars each day.

"I love this job," says the Emirati mother."Its different, I like working with myhands."

When Mariam began looking for a job she could only findwork as a secretary. "It was boring ...I could not improve

myself at it," she says.Being a mechanic looked exciting," says Mariam.

We didn't know how to fix cars, but we were willing tolearn. Al Futtaim sent us on a training course to learn howto service cars.

"We began working in the service centre. The work wasvery hard and it was hot, too. I enjoyed learning something

new every day," Mariam says."My customers trust me to fix their cars. At first, Emiratimen found it hard to understand why I wanted to workhere. They thought you need muscle to do this job, but

you just need a mind. These men now ask for me to service

their cars!

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Abu Dhabi Education CouncilTeacher: Amin Mofreh

Ali Ibn Abi Taleb SchoolEnglish Language Arts

Grade: 9 /Name. :

Mariams brothers did not want her to become a mechanic.They said that it's not Emirati culture for a woman to workin a garage. I don't agree. We have to find interesting

jobs, not just sit in an office."

Mariam says: "I'm working with people from all over theworld and learning so much. Women all over the worldshould understand that our gender is not an obstacle,"she says.

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WRITE ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS BELOW IN YOUR NOTEBOOK:

Right there

1. What job did Mariam try before training as a mechanic?2. How many months was the training course?3. What is the name of the company she works for?

Think and Search

4.Why did Mariams brothers disagree with her doing the mechanics course?5.Why does Mariam love this job?6.Does Mariam agree that you need muscle to be a mechanic?

The Author and You

7. What does the word obstacle mean?On your Own

8. Should women work in careers such as a mechanic?

N o w , Y o u b e th e T e a c h e r !In your group, create:

2 xright therequestions. 2 x think and searchquestions. 1 xthe author and youquestionOR1 xon your ownquestion.

Discuss the information youd expect to see in each answer.

SUPPORT

Pass your questions to another group. They will have 20 minutes to answer the questions. Theiranswers will be returned to your group for feedback.

As a group, assess the answers and offer feedback - make sure you tell them some GOOD THINGS abouttheir answers and offer one piece of advice about HOW TO IMPROVE.

FROM READING to WRITING

Write adiscussion textthat presents the positive and negative aspects of

Emirati women working in non-traditional careers.

You will need to do some more reading on this topic.

Recommended readings: