Indore: An all-woman driven cab service was introduced in India's cleanest city - Indore with a helping hand from a local NGO on Monday. The 24-hour women-run 'Sakha' cab service fulfills a long awaiting demand noticed after the commencement of international late-night flights from Indore Airport.
The 'for women by women' cab service only ferries women passengers/families and is expected to be one solution to combat sexual violence. The taxi service was flagged off by Indore MP Shankar Lalwani. He opined that the cab service will pave a way to a decent livelihood for women coming from low-income backgrounds.
Over the past few years, popular cab services have faced scrutiny for the continued risk to women’s safety. Several cases reported of harassment, sexual advances and rape, have brought into question the safety measures implemented by such agencies.
The need for Sakhi cabs arose owing to the late-night schedules of international flights. Most women passengers do not feel secure traveling with male drivers in the late hours of the night. The first of a kind initiative in Indore by a local NGO 'Samman Society' with the assistance of Delhi's Azad Foundation and Sankha Wing not only ensure a sense of safety to the ladies but provides an employment opportunity to the women staff.
It is to be recalled that three years ago, a women-run auto-rickshaw service was announced in the city which could be never initiated due to lack of skilled drivers.
According to Rajendra Bandhu, director of the NGO Samman Society, the institute started imparting driving lessons to resource-poor women, four years ago in the city. As of today, the NGO has successfully trained 200 women as drivers. Apart from learning to drive and handle curves with elan, women drivers are also trained in martial arts and conflict management.
The NGO also helps women acquire learning and permanent licenses in the process of training. Not only this, the women are helped in getting easy loans with convenient installations to buy vehicles themselves.
“Most of our girls come from difficult backgrounds. We have poor, single parents, widows and women who have faced domestic violence. We counsel, motivate and empower them,” said a member of NGO, adding that on one hand, this ensures livelihoods with dignity for resource-poor women who become drivers, and on the other hand, offer safe mobility for female passengers.
Arpita Arya, a member of the driver’s fleet, told reporters that at first the families of women were not comfortable with their daughters driving taxis at night, but over time they have made peace with the idea and are proud of their daughters.
Airport director Aryamma Sanyal said the taxis will be equipped with a panic button which will be for both the driver and passenger to use. The 24x7 support services connected with the panic button will immediately inform the police station if one is facing an emergency situation.
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