- Policy Papers
Building Gender Inclusive Spaces in Public Transport
To better understand the workplace environment and support the needs of women bus drivers, Azad initiated a research focused on assessing Delhi Transport Corporation's (DTC) facilities for women drivers. This research highlights the need for more gender-inclusive infrastructure within depots.
Azad Foundation, established in 2008 in Delhi, is committed to expanding women’s participation in non-traditional livelihoods (NTL) with dignity. Since its inception, the foundation has grown to operate in seven cities across India, directly impacting communities in Delhi, Jaipur, Kolkata, and Chennai, and partnering with organizations in Ahmedabad, Indore, and Bhubaneswar. Through our programs, we have empowered women from marginalized backgrounds with professional driving skills, while our strategic partner, Sakha, has supported their entry into the job market. To date, over 5,000 women have become employable with driving licenses, and more than 3,500 are currently employed as four-wheelers, two-wheelers, and public bus drivers.
Azad Foundation has worked actively to challenge societal and industry norms, breaking barriers to support women’s entry into diverse sectors within transportation. Our collaboration with the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) has enabled training and employment opportunities for women as bus drivers, leading to notable policy adjustments within DTC, including the reduction of height requirements, relaxed heavy vehicle experience prerequisites, and waived training fees for women drivers. Today, 93 women associated with Azad and beyond are either undergoing training or working as bus drivers within DTC in Delhi.
To better understand the workplace environment and support the needs of women bus drivers, Azad initiated research focused on assessing DTC’s facilities for women drivers. This research involved key informant interviews and qualitative case studies with drivers, revealing the need for more gender-inclusive infrastructure within depots. Expanding the research beyond its initial scope, our team conducted a comprehensive audit of DTC depots, developing a specialized assessment tool for this purpose. We extend our sincere gratitude to DTC authorities for their cooperation and support throughout this process.
Read “Building Gender Inclusive Spaces in Public Transport” Policy Brief
