India's age-old patriarchal norms and gender stereotypes often restrict
the mobility of women, affecting their access to choices and more
importantly, their pathway to economic empowerment. Young girls who do
not have access to transport end up dropping out of schools, thus
reducing their chance to avail basic needs as well as mainstream
economic opportunities. They often are left dependent on their male
counterparts, widening the gender gap and keeping women disempowered.
Through deep listening with the community, we realized that the answer
to this challenge lies with women themselves. A pathway was created for
women to be at the forefront of mobility challenges through the
women-led e-rickshaw model which provides: