In a powerful move to empower underprivileged women, inDrive, the international mobility and urban services app, has rolled out its Driving Naari campaign. The inspiration of the initiative aims at establishing professional opportunities for women in both Chandigarh and Kolkata and empowers them financially and independently as income earners of their families. Launched on September 23, 2024, in New Delhi, India, this program aims to provide women with an opportunity for decent, sustainable, and perspectives of employment.
Backed by the ‘Driving Naari’ campaign, 30 women are to be trained, 15 each from both the cities, and turned into professional drivers to bring a new change amongst women across the work arena. Pavit Nanda Anand who is the APAC Communications Lead at inDrive said about the program, “Our initiative is about changing lives.” This is not only learning how to become professional drivers and how to stand on their own but also learning confidence and assertiveness. Each of the candidates will be offered an electric scooter with GPS as an essential item that will turn each candidate into a prosperous person.
As is evident from the description above, the program is expected to work in a number of areas of social concern such as women employment, absorption to workforce and innovations in sustainable transport systems. Anand talked about the extent of the goals of the initiative, saying the following: “This campaign will indeed set the precedent for these expansions in other cities of India. In addition to helping increasing the labor force not only we are providing women safer means of transportation along with providing them an opportunity to challenge the dominant hegemonic masculinism of the society while encouraging them to drive cars.
Avik Karmakar, GTM Manager for South Asia at inDrive said, “Through our ‘Driving Naari’ initiative, we are trying to knock down the walls and encouraging women to be as free as they want to be while driving. By facilitating career opportunities in driving, inDrive is reshaping the ride-hailing landscape and paving the way for gender equality on the roads, while also uplifting their lives and financial standing.”
Pratip Mazumder, the Country Manager of inDrive for India, they have now realized that women can also do what earlier were tagged as being the ‘only man’s domain’ it is a social change. “When more women begin to drive as a career, there is a progressive change that eradicates stereotype views for women by providing an enabling environment for women drivers. Women's advancement in society is indicative of overall progress, steering us towards a brighter, more equal future.”
The initiative has garnered notable support from actor Vikrant Massey, inDrive's brand ambassador, who commended the program's commitment to social justice. “The 'Driving Naari' campaign reflects inDrive's dedication to challenge inequalities and create positive change in communities. I am proud to be affiliated with an organisation that is people centered,” Massey remarked.
In line with its mission to challenge social injustices and improve the lives of a billion people by 2030, inDrive is committed to providing comprehensive support to all participants in the 'Driving Naari' initiative. This support includes:
- Driving Training: Comprehensive training to ensure participants are well-prepared for their new careers.
- Driver License: Assistance in obtaining necessary licenses.
- Annual Maintenance Charges: Coverage for vehicle maintenance to ease financial burdens.
- Driver Registration: Seamless registration with the inDrive platform.
- No Service Fee: Waiving service fees to maximize earnings for drivers.
- Electric Scooters: Provision of eco-friendly vehicles to support sustainable transportation.
- Smartphones: Supplying devices for ride-hailing operations.
- Specialized Training: Instruction on using the inDrive platform effectively for ride management.
Recognizing the challenges women face when entering the gig economy, especially concerns regarding safety, inDrive has implemented several safety measures for 'Driving Naari' candidates, including:
- 24/7 Helpline: A dedicated support line for immediate assistance.
- GPS-Enabled Scooters: Enhancing safety through real-time tracking.
- Medical Insurance: Providing health coverage for participants.
- Self-Defense Training: Empowering women with skills to ensure their personal safety.
- Road Safety Training: Collaborating with local traffic authorities for comprehensive safety education.
- Safety Devices and Kits: Equipping candidates with essential safety gear, including helmets and medical kits.
The ‘Driving Nark’ program therefore through practicing financial independence and respect aspire to establish a more safer and friendly environment for women in urban society to independently look for fortunes in street without the fear of being harassed by a man.
inDrive is present in 779 cities in 46 countries, the app has been installed more than 240 million times, in 2022 and 2023 it is the second most popular mobility application. Apart from ride hailing, inDrive focuses on urban mobility services such as intercity, cargo, and personal errand solutions. In 2023, the company also launched New Ventures, a venture and M&A arm to further its impact.
As a company dedicated to challenging social injustice, inDrive is committed to enhancing the lives of individuals through fair pricing and community support, exemplified by inVision, its non-profit arm that focuses on empowering communities through education, sports, arts, gender equality, and other essential initiatives.
The launch of the 'Driving Naari' program not only signifies a leap towards gender equality in driving but also represents a broader commitment to creating equitable opportunities for women across India, paving the way for a more inclusive future.
