Sira Diallo : On se moquait de ses bottes, elle dirige aujourd'hui de gros chantiers !
In Kaffrine, seeing a woman managing a construction site was almost unheard of a few years ago. Hard hat on her head, boots on her feet, and plans in hand, Sira Diallo nevertheless decided early on to forge her own path in construction, a profession still largely uncommon among women in the region. Today, she is a building technician, site manager, wife, and devoted mother. A journey built on courage, sacrifice, and passion.
After her primary education at School 9, then at CEM 1 Babacar Cobar Ndao and at Babacar Cobar Ndao High School in the S2 stream, Sira Diallo failed her baccalaureate exam. But far from giving up, she quickly bounced back by passing the entrance exam for the National Center for Teacher Training in Technical and Vocational Education in Kaffrine, where she obtained a BEP (Vocational Studies Certificate) in construction.
Determined to go further, she continued her training in Diamniadio, where she successively earned diplomas as a team leader and then as a site manager. She began as an intern on construction sites in Kaffrine and then Dakar. There, the beginnings were particularly difficult.
"At first, I sometimes only earned the transport. But I never regretted my choice. I knew that one day I would succeed," she says calmly.
Upon his return to Kaffrine, another battle begins: the battle of how others see him.
In the streets and on construction sites, her work attire sometimes provokes mockery. Some relatives even question her choice. On the job, some workers hesitate to accept a woman's authority.
“In Kaffrine, it was not common to see a woman on construction sites. Even my own sisters sometimes laughed. But that never discouraged me,” she confides.
Over time, her rigor and professionalism have earned her respect. Today, Sira Diallo wins contracts in Kaffrine and other areas, offering turnkey projects ranging from masonry and plumbing to metalwork and tiling. She manages her teams with high standards and doesn't hesitate to terminate a contract when construction standards are not met.
For her, the question of the quality of constructions is essential, especially in a context marked by building collapses sometimes reported as early as the erection phase.
"We must respect the standards. It is a responsibility for all technicians," she insists.
His seriousness is confirmed by Khalil, a building technician and former classmate.
“Since our training, Sira has remained true to her principles. She has always been rigorous about construction standards. She suffered a lot of mockery at the beginning, but she remained focused on her work. Today, she naturally commands attention on construction sites,” he testifies.
Despite the demands of her profession, Sira Diallo manages to balance her professional life and family responsibilities. She also emphasizes the significant support of her husband and in-laws throughout her career.
“Every day is like International Women’s Day for me. I feel proud when I’m on a construction site, surrounded by cement, bricks and concrete. This job is more than a job for me, it’s a passion,” she says with conviction.
Today, mockery has given way to respect. In Kaffrine, Sira Diallo is no longer just a woman on construction sites. She has become a role model for many young girls who are still hesitant to pursue technical careers. An inspiring journey that proves competence knows no gender.
Commentaires (12)
Participer à la Discussion
Règles de la communauté :
💡 Astuce : Utilisez des emojis depuis votre téléphone ou le module emoji ci-dessous. Cliquez sur GIF pour ajouter un GIF animé. Collez un lien X/Twitter, TikTok ou Instagram pour l'afficher automatiquement.