Despite the difficult economic conditions and professions that require women to work at night, the looks of inferiority are still haunted by some people, while some professions have forced married women and even girls to work at night.
Hanadi, who works in a restaurant (hostess), says that the night profession in which she works is very normal and many girls work in it. Her working hours end at two o’clock in the middle of the night, and transportation is secured. However, a number of criticisms pursue her despite the openness that the surrounding families have known, as they fabricate several accusations of women working the night shift, and in the eyes of these women, she is not entitled to work except in daylight hours. With the onset of darkness, her original place is at home, and unfortunately, these ideas have still accompanied The mindsets of many, even when we are in the era of progress and modern technology.
She added to Athr that the economic situation has forced many, whether girls or young men, to work at night, but she doesn’t care about what is said as long as the trust is mutual between her and her family.
As for Khadija, who works in a kitchen in a restaurant, she believes during her interview with Athr that women entering night professions is not as easy as everyone sees it. Working during daylight hours is safer compared to working night hours, which carries many risks. You should walk into it with caution, whether you’re a man or a woman. However, the conditions are harsh and the presence of one salary at home is not enough for the price of bread.
In turn, Souraya, who works as a nurse in a private hospital, told Athr: “My family does not refuse to work at night, especially in light of the bad economic situation for everyone. I have been practicing the nursing profession for ten years, and I used to do this work, as it generates additional income for me in addition to my income in the morning work.”
For her part, Abeer also mentioned to Athr that she was working a night job (cashier accounting) in one of the malls, and her shift was until twelve o’clock at night. There was an agreement with her brother, who lived with her and allowed her to work at first. However, gossip affected his mind as he was creating problems all the time because of the pressures he was exposed to by some of the people in the neighbourhood. This made her resign from work of her own free will and end the ominous scenario because her life turned dark; his attitude towards her changed. Since she stopped working, the situation calmed down, and things returned to normal at home.
As for Bushra, she has a contract with a cleaning company. She leaves her house at one o’clock at night to start her work (as a cleaning worker) in one of the institutions. She must finish her work before the employees come in the morning, so she goes out at one o’clock at night and works for five hours. She explained to Athr that it is the only work she masters, as she is uneducated and needs a monthly allowance to be able to spend on her children. When we asked if she had heard the criticism, she said: “This is a necessity and something I’m used to, but what else can I do.”
However, Suhair preferred to work in a clothing store as an employee displaying clothes, rearranging them, wiping and cleaning the place after it was free of customers and so on until eleven o’clock at night. She describes her work as honorable work, as she receives her wages every month as compensation for her efforts, considering that this profession is better than begging.
In the same context, the expert in human resources wondered what is the problem if there is night work for women. He added to Athr, “In the end, she seeks to provide for the needs of her family, of course, and this is better than sitting without work and having no one to meet her needs.
Regarding society’s outlook, he said: “People have nothing to talk about. Everything is just happening, it is the talk of the hour, or as it is said, it is (the trend). Therefore, from my point of view, work is not a defect, whether it is during the day or night, as long as it achieves the goal and meets the requirements within moral and legal limits.”
According to the human resources expert, the percentage of women who work at night (i.e. those who work beyond 12 o’clock at night) is approximately 17%, while those who work in evening professions until eight or nine are very large due to the fact that it is still early.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
