The only female taxi driver in Rabat, Morocco who “breaks” social stereotypes

THE Suad Hindidou challenges social norms and breaks stereotypes at the wheel, as the only female taxi driver in the Moroccan capital Rabat and one of the few in the country.

THE Χντιντού, 33 years old, started working as a truck driver, leaving school, getting a job in a fish distribution company, but decided to work in a taxi for a better salary and more freedom, as she stated in the tribute prepared by Reuters.

Now she earns enough to pay the mortgage on her apartment near Rabat, as well as to support her family in the countryside, while she has established a stable customer base.

“Mothers often trust me to pick up their children from school when they are busy,” she told reporters, adding: “I also get calls to pick up women at night because they feel more comfortable with me.”

At the helm of its blue sedan, glowing clean and fragrant inside, and with a heart-shaped amulet with religious lyrics hanging from the mirror, the Χντιντού is a rare sight in its streets Rabat.

“We need more women taxi drivers,” she said Nouchila Asa, her client Swad, the opinion of which the reporters asked, adding that with the Χντιντού can converse and speak freely, unlike a male driver.

There used to be seven women licensed as taxi drivers in the capital, but they all stopped working except for Χντιντού. Female taxi drivers sometimes face sexual harassment in exchange for professional privileges, he added.

Even for men, however, the profession of taxi driver is difficult Morocco – Most drivers do not have access to state health and pension coverage and want the government to reform the sector.

And a taxi license is so expensive that many “rent” it from well-to-do people who have the right connections. THE Χντιντού – states in the video dedicated to her life – that the cost of renting the license as well as the running costs of the car represent up to 70% of her monthly income.

For Χντιντού, however, is a step towards fulfilling her childhood dream: “My desire is to work in international transport… I am now in the process of obtaining different types of driving licenses. This is her life SwadHe said with a laugh.