What is the name of your organization?
Namma Foundation
What is the name of your solution?
Mahila Shakti E-Auto Driving
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
Empowering women through electric auto driving, creating sustainable livelihoods and fostering cleaner urban mobility.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
India
What type of organization is your solution team?
Nonprofit
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?
The Mahila Shakti Electric Auto Driving Program addresses gender inequality in urban transport, specifically empowering women from low-income communities to become professional electric auto / three wheeler vehicle drivers. In Bengaluru, where the program is implemented, there is a significant gender gap in the driving sector, and women remain underrepresented in commercial transportation. Globally, millions of women face similar barriers, with limited access to formal employment opportunities, training, and financial resources. By equipping women with driving skills, access to electric autos, and financial literacy, this program directly addresses these systemic barriers, providing sustainable livelihoods while contributing to cleaner urban mobility. The initiative also tackles societal stereotypes, empowering women to participate in sectors traditionally dominated by men.
What is your solution?
The Mahila Shakti Electric Auto Driving Program is an initiative that empowers women from marginalized communities by providing them with the skills, financial support, and mentorship to become professional electric auto drivers. The program trains women in a structured 45-60 day curriculum, covering driving skills, road safety, vehicle maintenance, and financial literacy. Once trained, participants are supported with rental electric autos for 4-5 months, allowing them to stabilize their income and build confidence. During this rental period, women are encouraged to build credit profiles, enabling them to access affordable loans and eventually purchase their own electric auto. By breaking gender norms and creating pathways for financial independence, the program empowers women to take center stage in addressing climate change by promoting the transition to electric vehicles, supporting sustainable urban mobility, and reducing the carbon footprint.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
The Mahila Shakti Electric Auto Driving Program directly serves women from marginalized communities in India, particularly those with limited access to skill-based employment opportunities that offer flexible working hours, enabling them to balance household responsibilities. The program also caters to women seeking higher-paying job opportunities. Many of these women face significant barriers to entering the driving workforce, as they lack access to driving schools or formal training centers, especially in the auto driving sector. Even when women have the desire to become commercial drivers, they often don’t know what to do post-training, as purchasing an electric vehicle through loans isn’t immediately feasible.
The program addresses these challenges by providing comprehensive training in electric auto driving, road safety, vehicle maintenance, and financial literacy. Additionally, it offers flexible work opportunities through rental electric autos, allowing women to stabilize their income while fulfilling family duties. The program also helps participants build credit profiles and facilitates access to affordable loans, enabling them to eventually purchase their own electric vehicles. This approach empowers women to gain financial independence and transition into the commercial driving workforce.
