At 3 am in Melbourne, Maria is waiting for her next ride in a taxi rank, commonly shared by taxi drivers and ride-sharing drivers. But her thoughts get constantly distracted by the other drivers passing by or near her car.
“I get the strangest looks as if I am an alien,” Maria tells SBS Urdu.
“The jobs that come under the ‘tradie’ domain are normally not associated with women especially those coming from migrant communities such as Pakistan.”
LISTEN TO
پہلے اوبر پھر سیکیورٹی ۔۔۔ خواتین بھی سب کام کر سکتی ہیں
SBS Urdu
05:53
Listen to the interview of Maria Muhammad with SBS Urdu
"When another driver looks at me he has a big question mark in his eyes, indicating what is this scarf-clad woman doing at night?
“Women help their children at home and do house chores. Those who opt for work do so in white-collar jobs. But to work as a ride-sharing car driver or even a security, it is simply unthinkable,” she says.
Is it just the right of a man to do such jobs? Why can’t a woman wearing a hijab do this [driving] job?
Maria says most of the rides are pleasant with no concern from any passenger.
“Almost everyone I have picked up and dropped, the customers have been very polite. There is, though, an odd customer who asks about my [headscarf] appearance and questions that are sometimes racist. But when I talk to them, tell them why I am doing what I am doing, it turns out well.”
In 2015, Maria started as an Uber driver during weekends working part-time on various days, and two years later she became a a full-time driver.
Security guard working in a super store. Source: Getty images
She says that in the end, it won't matter about her working as a driver because she has to work herself to make a living.
“I am not bothered if someone thinks or talks something about me. Let them think what they want. I have a life to live.”
During the pandemic and severe lockdown in Victoria, Maria worked at a COVID-19 testing centre as a security guard.
But with the lockdown now eased she is looking forward to being back in her driving seat, with no concerns about other drivers' behaviours.
“I am not bothered, I am glad I will be back to my normal work,” Maria said.
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