Dehradun: In a remarkable step towards women empowerment, more than 54 women have become cab drivers in Dehradun, bringing excitement and speed to their lives.
This initiative has been spearheaded by Shruti Kaushik, the patron of Saheli Trust, an NGO dedicated to providing self-employment opportunities to women suffering from domestic violence.
A group of women chosen a different path
Traditionally, housewives are often encouraged to take up work like making pickles, papads, or engaging in sewing and embroidery. However, a group of determined women in Dehradun has chosen a different path to add excitement and speed to their lives by becoming cab drivers.
This trust gives alternative self-employment opportunities
Shruti Kaushik, the visionary behind Saheli Trust, emphasized that while traditional works like pickle-making, sewing, and embroidery have improved the lives of many women, they do not always provide sufficient financial support or interest for all. Her NGO aims to empower women by offering them alternative self-employment opportunities.
Mamta, the first female commercial driver of Uttarakhand, received her training through Saheli Trust
In 2018, Saheli Trust launched the She-Cab service, which features female drivers catering to women passengers. Since then, in collaboration with the Transport Department, 54 women have received driving training. Mamta, the first female commercial driver of Uttarakhand, received her training through Saheli Trust. Today, these women drivers are financially empowered, working with She-Cab, the Forest Research Institute (FRI), and other institutions.
Training programs for plumbers and electricians for women
Shruti Kaushik also announced plans to introduce training programs for plumbers and electricians for women due to the high demand for these professions in the city. The efforts to train women for driving will also continue, ensuring more women can achieve financial independence and security.
First commercial driver organizes the Char Dham Yatra in her own taxi, exclusively carrying women passengers
Mamta Pujari, the state’s first woman commercial driver, proudly shared that she organizes the Char Dham Yatra in her own taxi, exclusively carrying women passengers to provide them with a sense of security. Inspired by Mamta, other women like 30-year-old Yashoda and 40-year-old Radha have also embraced driving as their means of livelihood.
This initiative by Saheli Trust has not only provided self-employment opportunities for women but also challenged traditional gender roles and opened new avenues for women in the workforce. As more women take the wheel, they are driving towards a future filled with empowerment, independence, and excitement.
