A driving initiative empowering women in Lahore
The “Women on Wheels” (WOW) programme in Lahore is enabling women to gain independence by teaching them how to ride motorcycles, promoting both social and economic empowerment.
Programme Highlights
- Launched in 2017, the programme has trained over 6,600 women.
- Participants range from students to working professionals.
- Trained women are now purchasing motorcycles for commuting to schools, colleges, and workplaces.
Social and Economic Impact
- Rising car prices and declining purchasing power of the middle class have made motorcycles a viable alternative in Pakistan.
- Women are breaking cultural taboos, reducing their dependence on male family members for transportation, much like the car-driving trend in the 1980s.
Women’s Perspectives
- Laiba Rashid, a 22-year-old student, stated the programme will transform her life as she’ll no longer rely on her brother.
- Shumaila Shafiq, 36, shared that she now uses her husband’s motorcycle for errands and has designed a special abaya for safe riding.
- Ghania Raza, 23, described the experience as shattering a glass ceiling.
Significance
The WOW programme is not just solving commuting challenges but is empowering women to become self-reliant and independent.
