Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Joseph Essama
Published on 2024-03-06 10:58:18
International Women’s Day is approaching, highlighting women who stand out in their respective fields. Among them, 26-year-old Marie Daniella Messi Bama is a train driver at Cameroon Railways (Camrail), the company responsible for the railway network in Cameroon. Her profile has caught the attention of MMIF not only because she works in a traditionally male-dominated profession but also because she is one of the six women in this position within the company. What makes her journey particularly interesting is her young age, in a society where most young women like her often opt for easier paths such as prostitution or marriage.
Young, beautiful, intelligent, and dynamic, it was in 2020, at only 22 years old, that the young Cameroonian joined the exclusive circle of train drivers at CAMRAIL. She recounts her first encounter with this profession during a meeting: “If I found myself here, it was purely by chance. I took an exam. Being a train driver was not a passion. In the exam room, I asked my examiner if passion could develop over time. He told me that passion could indeed arise with the circumstances and realities of the work we do. And that’s my case. I didn’t love this job right away, even when I was discovering it. In a field where there are very few women, seeing a woman performing certain jobs is admirable. And especially when we start to stand out, it starts to passion us, and good work follows.”
On board a machine, hailing from the Central region of Cameroon, she guides the reader through the intricacies of her profession. “The first operation when entering the machine is to check the logbook to look at the restriction sheet. It is about knowing if there are any restrictions regarding the machine,” she reveals with a smile.
However, to excel in this exciting profession, determination is not enough. It is essential to possess the necessary attributes. “Like everywhere else, there is competition. One must showcase their intelligence and physical abilities. We may not have the same physical abilities as men, but we must stand out by achieving results and doing good work,” she shares.
In addition to skills, a high level of professionalism is essential for machine operators. According to her, this profession requires considerable concentration: “Being a train driver requires being quite composed. Generally, we have great responsibilities. When transporting a train of passengers, many human lives are under our responsibility,” she explains. She adds, “That’s why one must be very composed. I have faced similar reflections.”
Being a woman in a “man’s profession” also leads to prejudices. “Some think that I got here because someone favored me. I wish people understood that this is not a job where you are parachuted in. Even if you are brought in, you must have the capabilities to be able to hold on.”
The abilities of the young and charming Marie Daniella Messi Bama are confirmed by her superiors. “Dynamic, determined, and committed, Marie Daniella Messi Bama joined Camrail in 2020, at the age of 22. In four years, she has made her mark within our company,” testifies a Camrail official.
At only 26 years old, this young woman possesses not only intellectual abilities but also physical skills that make her a well-rounded individual.
Like all women in such professions, Marie Daniella must assert herself in this traditionally male-dominated field while balancing her professional life with her life as a woman and a family.
The upcoming International Women’s Day is a reminder to celebrate and recognize the achievements of women like Marie Daniella Messi Bama, who break barriers and excel in their chosen fields despite challenges and stereotypes.
Read the original article(French) on Mimi Mefo Info
