Empowering women on two wheels: Pratham’s “2Wheelers for Women” initiative takes off!
At Pratham, innovation and empowerment often come hand-in-hand, and the “2Wheelers for Women” initiative is no exception! This groundbreaking programme is making waves in rural and urban India by providing women with the skills and confidence to drive two-wheelers, opening up new pathways to independence, mobility, and economic opportunity.
In its latest phase, the initiative has set its sights on training over 2,000 female team members to become proficient scooter drivers. But it doesn’t stop there. Pratham is also building a cadre of “Scooty Didis,” local women trainers who will share their expertise and help others gain this essential skill. By equipping women in our communities with the ability to navigate their environment with greater ease, the programme is helping to accelerate progress and create ripples of change.
Last week in Chhattisgarh’s Dhamtari district, Pratham’s skilling team celebrated a major milestone with the graduation of 12 Scooty Didis, two of whom—Sarita and Preeti—trained Pratham’s CEO, Dr Rukmini Banerji, in scooty-driving. Within just four days, they turned a beginner into a confident, roadworthy rider, showcasing their exceptional teaching abilities and the transformative potential of this programme.
For women across Pratham and beyond, this initiative is about much more than just driving scooters. It’s about empowerment, mobility, and building a future where women can access opportunities without barriers. Whether it’s enabling access to education, employment, or other community resources, the “2Wheelers for Women” programme is paving the way for a brighter future—one road at a time.
As for our CEO? The journey continues! She’s now contemplating her own scooter purchase and sporting a yellow Pratham helmet as a symbol of the programme’s success.
This is just the beginning of what the “2Wheelers for Women” initiative can achieve. Together, we are unlocking possibilities, building confidence, and ensuring that women across India can move ahead—faster, safer, and with greater freedom.