HANAN HARÎT

Morocco– Imagine that you see a female taxi driver in a red taxi is picking up a passenger while you are walking on the streets of in Casablanca, a city of Morocco. Actually, don’t imagine because you can see Xedîca El-Sixêrdan, a female taxi driver, if you visit Casablanca. People of Casablanca have been used to seeing her for nine years. As NuJinha, we talked to her about the challenges she has faced and why she decided to be a taxi driver.

“I'm proud of my job”

Xedîca began to talk about herself while showing us the city, “The important thing for me is to answer the questions whether my children will go hungry at the end of the month or I will be able to cover their school expenses. I really don't care what people say about me. I’m proud of my job because I do my job with dignity. If I manage to do my job, my children will participate in life as successful and dignified people.”

“I broke all the stereotypes”

Xedîca has three children, “I can take care of my children by working as a taxi driver. Their father left us. I preferred being a taxi driver to stand on our own legs and to not let my children feel the absence of their father. With my preference, I also prove that I can do the job seen as men’s job.” Xedîca decided to break all gender stereotypes after her husband left her and her three children. After taking a taxi theory test and learning how to use a gun to protect her, she began to work as a taxi driver.

“We accommodated ourselves to our new life”

Xedîca begins to work early in the morning and she has to work all day long. After beginning to work as a taxi driver, her children accommodated themselves to their new life in a short time. Her children help her to do housework and they have a happy life now. “The best thing is that they accommodated quickly, they never feel that they don’t have a father and we are happy together,” Xedîca told us.

“Women’s praises make me happy”

In the beginning, Xedîca faced many criticisms from her male colleagues seeing her as a rival but she never gives up. “I suffered a lot due to mentality in our society. I faced many challenges from some of my colleagues and male passengers. But over time, I have managed to change their thoughts and perspectives,” Xedîca said, “Some men are surprised when they see a female taxi driver but when they take the taxi, they see how I drive and they praise me. I become happy when I receive praises, particularly from women.”

“I protect both myself and my passengers”

Xedîca is always on the alert and constantly sterilizing her hands. She also keeps masks and sterilized materials in her taxi to protect her passengers from the coronavirus. She emphasized that their lives are divided into two parts; before and after the Covid-19 pandemic. “The pandemic has affected everything, economy, social life, and working hours. I have to be with people due to my job. I follow the rules and try to protect myself and my passengers.”

“Women should take part in every sphere of life”

Xedîca highlighted that being a taxi driver is an honorable profession, “Women should be brave. They should take part in every sphere of life. They should believe in their abilities and skills. There are no men’s jobs; women can work in every field. They can prove themselves.”