Lieutenant Ouma Laouali, 28, on the 21st of October became the first female pilot in Niger. She was one of the Nigerien Airforce members trained by the United States as part of a programme to help fight the Islamist terrorist group, Boko Haram.
Just as women in politics and business are celebrated, Lieutenant Ouma is celebrated for joining the league of amazing first female pilots in Africa. These female pilots challenge sexist views that men are better suited as pilots. The announcement of Ouma as the first female pilot in Niger is a welcome development.
These are the 8 African female pilots dominating the aviation industry in Africa.
1. Irene Koki Mutungi – Kenya
Captain Mutungi, 39 is the first female pilot in Kenya and the first woman to earn the title of captain in Africa. She is also the first pilot of the first Kenyan Dreamliner, Boeing 787. She has received several awards in a male dominated category. Her father was also a pilot with the Kenya Airways.
A refugee in Kenya during the ethnic and political conflict of South Sudan, Aluenge defied all odds by becoming a pilot in the airline industry. “I felt a twinge at not being able to do that [fly] myself. Knowing one’s history that deeply is a powerful thing. “It strengthens your spirit and without a strong spirit you really can’t do anything. I learned to be who I am here,” Aluenge reveals.
She holds the distinction of being the first female South Sudanese pilot working for Ethiopian Airlines and Fly Dubai.
3. Patricia Mawuli – Ghana
4. Esther Mbabazi – Rwanda
5. Rachel Bianchi-Quarshie – Ghana
6. Chinyere Kalu – Nigeria
7. Asnath Mahapa – South Africa
8. Hassana & Huseina Edili Ogaji – Nigeria
“In Zaria, we never experienced gender-based discrimination but we also had a little crash and the media tagged us with different names and twisted our words,” the Ogajis said to jetlifenigeria. “We had a particular instructor who was not fair to us, but I am very grateful to God that we had another instructor who was really supportive. The relationship with our colleagues in flying school was awesome, but we had the usual misunderstandings and issues with mingling. We had to cope with a lot of things coming our way at that time, but I would say there was no gender discrimination.”
Despite living in a patriarchal society, the Ogajis hope that females will be recognized within and outside the industry, proving that the African woman is capable of venturing into any field she chooses.
Source: howafrica.com