Plunged into a conflict that has displaced hundreds of people since 2018, the province of Cabo Delgado has no shortage of stories of resilience and overcoming that deserve to be told. One of them is that of a courageous young woman who decided to follow an unusual path for most women in her community: locksmithing and welding.
In a region marked by military confrontations and the daily struggle for survival, this young woman stood out in a profession traditionally dominated by men. Her trajectory not only breaks down gender stereotypes, but also symbolises the strength and determination of women who, even in adverse scenarios, find ways to transform their realities and assert themselves in spaces previously considered unattainable.
Her name is Maiassa Sarati, she is 23 years old, lives in the city of Pemba, in the province of Cabo Delgado, and saw her life change course when she learnt about the existence of the +Emprego project, an initiative co-funded by the European Union and managed by Camões I.P., with the aim of increasing the economic opportunities of the population of Cabo Delgado, particularly the youngest, contributing to improving access to decent work in the province.
As part of this, the project has promoted a series of actions and training programmes for young people in strategic and highly employable areas, and it was on one of these courses that Maiassa made a name for herself. ‘When I heard about the +Emprego project, I immediately went to enrol. There were several courses, but the ones that caught my eye were locksmithing and painting, because I’ve always liked these areas and was curious to learn.’
In addition to the training she attended, Maiassa received a self-employment support kit, with equipment and consumables, training and assistance to manage her business and get her company formalised.
‘For all these reasons, today I have the opportunity to earn a living through this work,’ Maiassa told DE, emphasising that, in addition to +Emprego, the support of her family “was one of the decisive factors” that helped her face this challenge and believe in her potential.
Breaking down gender stereotypes
Locksmithing is a job usually carried out by men, as we know, but Maiassa didn’t let herself be dominated by this thinking and decided to show that she is capable of doing what she loves. ‘
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is finding clients who believe in my abilities, because they’re not used to a woman doing this job.’ However, the good work has paid off. ‘Yes, those who have already had services done by me have recommended me to their friends and acquaintances and this has helped to publicise my work,’ she adds.
Maiassa now has the desire to not only expand her business, but also help her community through the knowledge and skills she has learnt during her training. ‘I’d like to grow my business and get more clients.
I’m also thinking of opening a training centre for painting and locksmithing myself, so that more people, especially women, can learn and gain financial independence, just like I did,’ she says.
Until then, and even before she makes this dream come true, Maiassa is already working with two young people from the region who have been following her activities and learning to paint and weld with her.
Asked what advice she would give to women who would like to follow the same path, Maiassa leaves a note of hope: ‘No one is forbidden from realising their dreams or doing what they believe will be good for their life.
The important thing is not to listen to nasty comments or people who intend to discriminate and to move forward with what we believe is best for us,’ she emphasises.
Created in 2020, the aim of the + Emprego project is to foster economic opportunities for the population of Cabo Delgado, in particular its young population with a special focus on women, helping to improve access to decent work and income for young people in that region of the country.
ID: Maiassa Sarati
23 years old
Pemba
Contact – FB Serralharia Bila
On her page, she has shared some of the services she has done in both the painting and locksmithing areas.
