Dubai: Hammerhead Auto Specialists, a Dubai-based garage, is introducing auto training workshops for women for the first time in the UAE in an effort to empower them while they are driving. XPRESS spoke to Nazli Koseoglu, Hammerhead’s general manager, to get the details:
What prompted you to organise such a workshop?
We see too many cases where women drivers are stuck on the roads not knowing how to open the bonnet of the car or where to go or even what to look for. My vision with the workshop is to reach every woman driver in the UAE and to empower them with the basic education on how the car works, how to maintain it and what to do in an emergency situation.
Why are women in general not adept at car repairs?
Traditionally women have been kept out of mechanical matters and haven’t been exposed to car care as much as men have. Women and men have divided tasks into comfort zones; a bit like cooking versus changing a tyre - over time. So we’ve taken it for granted that men will address maintenance.
How will your workshop change matters?
The workshop is interactive and will last one hour and 15 minutes. It will start with a parking bay session, where we will list all the concerns and questions from our participants. The topics to be covered at the event will be in three sections: vehicle general specs body and interiors; engine bay and under carriage; emergency and red flags 101 basics; flat battery, flat tyre, smoky exhaust, smoky engine, engine overheating… what to expect and call to action. The workshop will end by revisiting the parking bay.
Who can attend this workshop and at what cost?
It is a free community workshop. All women who either own or are planning to own a vehicle can attend. We have limited spaces and participants need to register if they are planning to attend.
They can call us on 800HAMMER or email us at info@hammerhead.ae.
When and where will the workshop be held?
The first event will be held at the Hammerhead Auto Specialists’ garage in Al Quoz on February 18.
We plan to hold similar events in March/April.
