Autorickshaw driving empowers women to become sole breadwinners in Mysuru
Forty-five women drivers in Mysuru have rebuilt their lives by earning daily incomes through autorickshaw driving, according to The Hindu.
Driving autorickshaws has become a path to self-reliance for 45 women in Mysuru who are the sole breadwinners for their families, The Hindu reported. Most of these women lost the support of male family members, such as husbands, for various reasons.
Uma, a resident of Gayathripuram, earns an average of ₹1,000 a day, which increases to between ₹1,500 and ₹2,000 during special occasions like Dasara. She underwent three months of training organised by the Mysuru-based Taliru Foundation.
The Taliru Foundation has trained women to operate electric vehicle and compressed natural gas autorickshaws in six batches. The foundation identified beneficiaries through a three-stage selection process and facilitated financial assistance for purchasing vehicles.
Chitra A.R., founder of the Taliru Foundation, said the biggest challenge is accessing loans because social taboo persists and male surety is often mandatory. She stated the ambition is to train more women to drive school buses.
The women drivers, aged between 25 and 50, come from Mysuru and neighbouring Mandya, Chamarajanagara, and Kodagu. They report that their income is 3-5 times higher after taking up autorickshaw driving.
The drivers use a WhatsApp group called ‘Auto Sakhi’ to create a support network. Members of the group also extend free transportation services to persons with disabilities and pregnant women.