Breaking gender stereotypes: Rahaf's story

Rahaf (right) receiving training on our Victoria Park market stall from Vanessa, one of our stall managers

In March, we celebrate International Women’s Day. Where I come from, the culture for women is different to the U.K. Boys and girls study at separate schools and for lots of women, it is their family’s preference for them to be married rather than educated. Often, when girls prefer to go on to further education or university, they have to explain to their families that they will work hard and succeed, otherwise they will not have support from their loved ones. 

In my family, I have three sisters and one brother. We have a very close-knit family especially with so many women! In contrast to middle-eastern culture, my family believes women can and should be able to do anything they want. We believe it is important for women to be able to do anything that brings them happiness – whether that is being a mother, going to university, or working in a job. Even still, when my sister and I came to the U.K, my father was more worried about the journey we were taking than he would have been, had it been my brother. There is still the perception that women won’t be able to handle situations by themselves in the same way as men. Thankfully we proved everyone wrong!

For me, my biggest inspiration has been my grandmother. She had cancer and was looking after her own mother who needed lots of intense care. Throughout everything she stayed positive and kept her sense of humour. Whenever I come across a challenge, I think about my grandmother and try to deal with situations like she would.

Rahaf has just graduated our Risers Programme. Thank you Rahaf for writing this piece. Good luck in your next chapter - let’s see who else you can prove wrong!

Rahaf achieving her Level 1 Food Safety and Hygiene certificate