In a man's world

Youssra Zguaoua is the first woman to work as crew on a Dakhla fishing vessel in what is traditionally an entirely male working environment.

Pelagic trawler Midoy Dakhla 1, which operates from Dakhla in Western Sahara, is a unique ship with two female trainees on board. One is Hind, who is a Saharaui, and 23-year-old Youssra Zguaoua comes from the Mediterranean port of Al Hoceima in northern Morocco.

She has become the first woman to work as crew on a Dakhla fishing vessel in what is traditionally an entirely male working environment.

Fishing News International had the opportunity to speak to Youssra Zguaoua between trips. She grew up in the city of Meknes before she moved to Laayoune in Western Sahara at the age of eight when her father’s job took the family to the south.

She is an engineering graduate from the Technological Institute of Maritime Fisheries in Laayoune, which is where her interest in working in fishing began.

“Several friends wondered how I decided to become a fishing vessel engineer, but I was curious to find out more about the lives of people working at sea.

“I saw it as a big challenge because I wanted to show that women with my background also could work within a male-dominated environment,” she said.

“Engineering is the basis of modern technology, especially heavy industry. Among other things, at the institute we studied general mechanics, electricity, welding, electronics, electrical, refrigeration, industrial drawing, technical management, first aid, rescue and fire safety.”

“Once I became the first woman to receive this diploma, it became very difficult to engage with the maritime sector. After four months of job searching, I was accepted on a longliner with 36 crew. The skipper refused me to work in the engine room, so I had to work on the bridge.

“To put it mildly I was shocked to see the working conditions. The boat was short of all kinds of equipment and there would have been serious problems if there had been a fire or an emergency on board.”

“The trips could last more than 20 days. I realised on the first day that it was not going to be easy – and it was absolutely awful, not least due to the extremely rigid mentality towards women. Hygiene conditions were miserable, with poor accommodation and no shower on board.”

In spite of the difficulties, Youssra Zguaoua stayed with the job for four months until an opportunity to join Sjovik Morocco’s pelagic trawler Midoy Dakhla 1 arose.

She explained that she had written to the Ministry of Fisheries, making the point that while comprehensive training is available, there is a disconnect between study and work if it is almost impossible for a graduate to find work. The place as a trainee on Midoy Dakhla 1 was arranged via the Ministry.

“Being able to work on Midoy Dakhla 1 is an excellent opportunity to gain insight into how it is to work on board a trawler with high standards.

“Since I am a beginner, I like to see the trawler as a noble house welcoming me, and I like it here. Obviously, the maritime sector is highly male-dominated.

“At the same time, one can say that it is the technology that gives the woman entry to participate in this area because the technology requires less physical efforts. Intelligence plays an important role in maintaining the position of a woman in a team of men.

“For my part, I remain a woman regardless of surroundings. At the institute I was the only woman and I have been alone as a woman among fishermen for more than two years,” she said.

“Because I’m Moroccan, I have to accept the behaviour pattern of my country’s fishermen; I mean knowing the views of every man who works together with me.

“At the same time I would like to stress that I do not deny that there also are many men who are open-minded and friendly people who understand and can accept a woman as a new partner on the team. On the other hand, it is a reality that the majority do not accept these things,” she said and added that coping with sexual harassment is the greatest challenge.

“Another difficulty is the lack of trust and the problem of gaining support for suggestions from women. In most areas there are many men are unable to accept that the women also have brains and are able to think for themselves,” she added with conviction.

Tradition and religion frequently cause complex situations that have the potential to prevent development, not just in Morocco, but across the Middle East. According to Youssra Zguaoua, a significant problem is that there are many who choose to respect tradition rather than religion.

“If a man accepts a woman within a skilled workplace, that person thinks he is civilised, which is something I have to accept. Then I have also been told that it is forbidden that women work alongside men. In the background of  different opinions I just have to accept attitudes of colleagues with whom I deeply disagree.”

“Actually I work in a group made up of 90% Moroccan men. Sometimes there are colleagues who give me orders and there can be friction – primarily because I’m a woman.

She said she prefers to deal with this issue herself, and that’s why she doesn’t like to take her problems to her superiors, but she admits it isn’t easy for a Moroccan women to be fully respected.

“Midoy Dakhla 1 is a well-equipped trawler with all the necessary safety equipment on board,and at Sjovik Morocco I have found what I had not experienced at other workplaces – a professional crew providing professional advice. It was a pleasant surprise to work with a crew who appreciate that a woman can also take part in work on a fishing vessel,” she said.

“For us it is important that businesses we are involved in, also abroad, are conducted in accordance with the company’s ethical standards, which among other things, gender equality is central,” said Sjovik deputy CEO Daniel Sjøvik.

“It’s great that one of our female employees aboard Midoy Dakhla 1 is happy to have been treated with equal respect by her Norwegian counterparts. The work of transferring company policy to the local crew and the staff is extremely important.”

Reports Ola Sletten







In a man"s world