Lebanese women van drivers on Beirut - Shuwayfat line , why not?

The harsh economic and security conditions afflicting neighboring Syria, have pushed Syrian women to venture into once inaccessible domains. In a bold and unprecedented move, ten women nationals received driving licenses to drive public buses in the country. This step has set off a series of reactions on social media, particularly that the profession requires toil and vigor and is normally restricted to men. Hala Assi, the administrative supervisor at Dar Al Farah school, is among those who received the driving permit. She explained that driving a bus is part of her responsibility as a mother to protect the children and keep them safe, both physically and psychologically, in case of emergency, particularly in the current circumstances. “The idea was brought up collectively as a means to promote the culture of initiative, participation and to bring about a genuine positive change in society,” Assi said, adding that the situation in Syria has forced a recognition of the need for women in society at parity with their men peers. Driving vans is one of many occupations the Syrian woman has had the guts to enter and excel in despite the enormous difficulties. Likewise, Safaa Arafat, another daring driver, from the same school, boasted that the initiative has won the government’s backing and cooperation. For his part, the Syrian Deputy Transport Minister, Ammar Kamaleddine, while commending the female drivers’ distinction in the theoretical and traffic safety related tests, noted that they underwent a special training program on the transport of school children and the driving of buses and microbuses intended for public transport. It should be noted, that the whole team of women above are certified supervisors at Dar Al Farah school. With this venture, Syrian women would have challenged the stereotype patterns of the male dominant society. (As Safir, July 19, 2016)