WHERE would you expect to find a teacher and a computer trainer? Of course, you’ll say in a school and you’d be right. But in addition, I also found them at a Shell Gas Station in Karachi, pumping gasoline into customers’ cars, trucks, motorbikes and buses.

Tania, Ester and a few other women are making a bit of history along with some controversy as well. With a job title of “sales promoters,” the women are first of their sex to pump gas in Pakistan.

Ayesha Malik was born into a rich family but instead of a silver spoon in her mouth, she had a gas nozzle. Her father, Malik Khuda Baksh, owns several petrol pumps (gas stations to some English speakers) in Pakistan and for the past nine years, Ayesha has been the manager of one of her dad’s petrol pumps. It was her idea, however, to hire women to pump gas in the station.

“Ever since I first saw women working in KFC and McDonald’s, I wondered why they couldn’t work in my station. It was my decisiont to hire women and I have not regretted it. Women are far better workers; they are punctual, more dedicated, neat in appearance and professional. They have had a good, effect on the male employees too. The guys do not want to be outdone by a bunch of women,” Ayesha explained.

The women have been working for over six months and to tell the truth, it was not smooth sailing for them at the beginning. Tania recalled her experiences. “Women would stop and lecture us, saying we should not degrade ourselves by pumping gasoline. Men would ask if we couldn’t find another job. And then they would hand us their business card, assuring us they would help us find another job.”

The worst thing Ester experienced was the attitude. “Some men thought that because I was working at a petrol pump, I had low morals. They tried to flirt and tease. Some even said that it was all right for me to work here because I am a Christian but they asked why Muslim girls were working here.”

Ayesha Malik was expecting it all and so was prepared. “This is Pakistan. Many people look at working women with contempt. Women working at a petrol pump were unheard of. Some roadside Romeos thought it would be easy for them to approach the girls since the girls were out in the open and they did. But we took care of that. The first ones were given a sound thrashing by the security guards and the word spread. No more serious flirts and no more serious problems.”

Ayesha explained, “our pumps are so safe that we have two women working on the evening shift. One of the biggest concerns the parents of the women had was safety. I am very concerned about that myself and try to provide an environment that is both safe and professional. No woman is sent home by herself at night.”

Ester explained, “most people think pumping gas is a man’s job, but I am happy doing it. The money is good. As a primary school teacher, I made Rs.1,200 a month and here, I get Rs.4,500.” Tania added, “I made Rs.3,000 when I taught computer courses. This is physically tiring, but there is no mental pressure. I also like working outdoors.”

What about the customers and their reactions? As you would expect, there were mixed reactions. One man said, “when my car needs petrol, I don’t really care who pumps it. It is good to see women get this opportunity for a job. I think they are a bit shy and they could improve the way they deal with customers.” And then of course, the predictable: “I think women should not work at all except at home. It’s a disgrace to see these women being exploited at petrol pumps. I was so disgusted at the sight of women pumping petrol that I pulled up in front of the male attendant and refused to let a woman fill my tank.”

Arshad, a motorbike rider said, “Pakistan has become so expensive that both men and women need to work. If women can work in other fields, why not here?” When asked if he would agree to his wife working in a petrol station, he immediately shot back. “No way! I want her to work in an office.”

How do their male colleagues look at the women working beside them? Mazhar who is not from Karachi but is working at his first job in the city said, “I never dreamed that I would have a woman working with me at a petrol pump. I think it is all right as long as we don’t have too many of them.”

Azeem said, “It felt very, very strange at first but I guess this is one of the demands of changing times. I try not to think of them as women but simply as co-workers.”

What about Khuda Baksh? Would he have allowed his daughter to manage one of his petrol pumps if he had had sons? (He has two daughters and no sons.) “I think so. Daughters are more reliable. If I had had sons, they would probably have run off to America.” He added, “I was in India recently for a meeting. Some of the petrol pump owners there were thrilled and said they would hire women to fill gasoline at their pumps. I am very proud of my daughter, Ayesha: she has made an important first step. After all, 55 percent of the world is women. How long can we keep them away from so many jobs?”