Putting women behind the wheel, on the road to independence

Lalita

Lalita attended school only to the age of 14, leaving her with few career options. While working as a domestic helper, she learnt about WW after a friend took part in the program.

At first, Lalita couldn’t pay the (INR) 2,000 rupees commitment fee and the cost of commuting to the training center. However, with a small loan, determination, and support from the Azad Foundation, she was eventually able to join the program and pass her commercial driver’s test.

Now she is earning INR 9,500 a month, which she says has transformed her life.

Lalita is not just making money. Thanks to her CNG vehicle, she is also saving money. As the running costs fall on the drivers themselves, one factor helping them is the lower cost of CNG and the engine reliability of their CNG-powered cars.

For these women on the go, relying on CNG cars compared to cars powered by conventional fuels means they can drive further for less. So they spend less time refueling, meaning they can spend more time earning.

“CNG vehicles are amazing,” Lalita explains, adding that CNG power means that not only is the vehicle less polluting, but also comparatively cheaper to run.

“CNG cars have fewer emissions than petrol cars. It is popular nowadays, safe to drive, comparatively cost-effective and low-maintenance. I feel great that I drive a CNG car.”

Lalita says this program has not just changed her life, it has also changed the perception she has of herself. “Working as a commercial driver has really boosted my confidence. Earlier people didn’t think me worthy of their attention, but now they treat me with respect,” she adds.

Lalita also feels proud to help other women. “Before I started training with WW, I was scared to go out alone at night, but now that’s all changed. And when I’m driving female passengers at night, I can see it on their face that they also feel safe and reassured. I think that the more women cabbies we have on the roads, the safer it will be for other women to travel, whether it’s day or night.”

Rekha

For Rekha, training with WW has opened up her world. Like Lalita, she had to leave school at an early age.

Rekha, who describes herself as timid, joined the program at her mother’s urging “to get her out of the house.” With the program’s support, her self-assurance grew.

“This job has given so much confidence to a timid girl like me,” Rekha says. “I used to be nervous about going out alone. As commercial drivers, we have to drive both during the day and at night. When we are driving at night, it feels as if we have been given wings and are flying. The fear of going out alone at night now seems to be a thing of the past.”

Rekha is setting an example for her family and those around her. “I am the first girl in my family and community to work as a taxi driver. When I’m introduced to people as a taxi driver, they look at me with great surprise, because they have only seen men driving taxis.”

Her mother says she never thought her daughter would one day be working and is immensely proud of how far she has come, and how far she wants to go. Rekha now even dreams of buying her own home.