According to a recent study conducted by the Women’s Rights Association, Pakistan, approximately 85% of Pakistani working women have experienced emotional, physical or sexual harassment while commuting to work via public transport.
In an effort to remedy this situation, the Pink Rickshaw Project came into being earlier this year. Sponsored by The Environment Protection Foundation (TEPF), the Project is the brainchild of Zar Aslam, a well-known women’s rights activist. Aslam’s vision is to establish “a driven-by-women-for-women rickshaw service” that not only ensures an economical and safe mode of commuting for women, but also provides women with employment opportunities as professional rickshaw drivers.
Women who are Pakistani citizens over 18 and have a valid NIC can apply to buy and drive a pink rickshaw through the Project. Each rickshaw costs approximately Rs 300,000. This price is 30 to 35% higher than conventional rickshaws, due to the presence of added features such as doors and fans, typically absent in regular rickshaws. Once an application has been approved, a rickshaw will be handed over to the successful applicant who will be able to pay for it in installments – no down payment is required.
The Project’s participants will also benefit from driving and maintenance lessons; the latter will cover essential skills such as changing tyres and clearing clogged fuel pipes. Although the Pink Rickshaw Project has identified a vital need in our local transportation, it has a long way to go in terms of mass implementation. The primary roadblock, according to Aslam, is lack of investor interest from private entities as well as the Government.
Consequently, the Project’s scope is limited to Lahore, although TEPF is actively engaged in fund-raising activities to ensure that women across Pakistan can benefit from this one-of-its kind empowerment initiative. One of these activities was a ‘rickshaw rally’ that entailed five women driving pink rickshaws on Lahore’s Mall Road for several hours last Sunday.
By Syed Wajeeh-ul-Hassan Naqvi