Bengaluru's Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Karnataka (AWAKE) is all set to provide a one-month training session to underprivileged women to drive cars, empowering them with entrepreneurial skills and self-reliance, and providing a month-long program to support their entrepreneurial aspirations. AWAKE has taken this commendable step to increase the number of female drivers and provide them with new entrepreneurial skills.
In order to meet the needs of an increase in business and employees reaching their destinations and upskilling women drivers, these associations will assist. Skilled women drivers will be able to provide their employers with exclusive driving services, allowing flexible work schedules and encouraging an entrepreneurial mindset. Around 40 female participants will form a group that will perform two hours of simulated driving and one hour of practical instruction to gain real-world driving experience. They will also need to attend motivational seminars every Saturday to learn about business development.
In addition to the training session, these female drivers will also get employment options. They will also be advised on how to apply for relevant subsidies and entrepreneurship programs driven by governmental and non-governmental platforms and how to access small loans on yearly revenue. This initiative has been funded by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) in partnership with AWAKE to train women in driving at various locations based on the female participant's localities. Mandovi Motors is training women to acquire a driving license, aiming to increase self-sufficiency among them. However, the initiative also underscores the need for a shift in public perception towards gender neutrality.
