Essential Ndubuisi
By Blessing Dennis
Female Barbers in Awka, Anambra state capital, are defying the odds to become major players in the male-dominated barbing sector.
Gender profiling in many jobs in Nigeria today is fast going away, as some women and men are making a living irrespective of the nature of the job.
However, as a woman in a male dominated field, it is not just about haircut, it is an experience that is laddened with mix feelings.
One thing that is obvious is that most times, men prefer their fellow men to cut their hair.
But female barbers are also beginning to gain ground in a trade that had been presumed to be men-only.
Speaking to the ABS, a female barber under apprenticeship in one of the barbershops in Awka, Miss Ifesorochukwu Opara, who is also a graduate from Federal Polythecnic, Oko, said that she loved the profession, and that it was nice working alongside men.
She noted that some of the challenges facing female barbers are neglect, sexual harassment and rejection.
Another female barber, Chinaza Ejide said that she works hard to give customers a memorable experience each time she cuts their hair.
She advised ladies not to wait for white-collar jobs when they have the chance of maximising their talents.
Some customers, messers Arinze Samuel, Chilomma Ezukwo, Ugochukwu Eze and Lilian Agu, expressed satisfaction with female barbers and urged men to equally patronize them.
