Campaign Story
About the project
Women from these marginalized slum communities were the hardest hit by COVID 19. Those who earned a daily wage became jobless overnight due to lockdown. Concurrently, incidents of domestic violence increased, and women were subjected to the tremendous pressures of unpaid care work. The project promotes the notion that women can and should pursue “non-traditional” livelihoods, such as becoming professional drivers.
This Project is fully funded by the Oak foundation.
Making a difference
With the goal of reaching the most-needy women, CRY America’s Project DAS conducted outreach on driving as a viable livelihood option among victims of domestic violence, single mothers, and women belonging to lower-caste and tribal communities. Once enrolled, women received automobile driver training as well as instruction on basic English, first aid, GPS usage. The courses included additional units on gender roles and responsibilities, applicable laws, and patriarchal myths. The program originally intended for graduates to take up jobs as “Pink Taxi” (female-driven cabs) drivers in Kolkata, as chauffeurs for hospitals, hotels, corporations or clubs, and with ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Ola. Unfortunately, COVID closures and stay-at-home orders wiped out demand for these transportation services. Amid the crisis, the project saw opportunity in the booming home delivery industry. By expanding the program to train women on operating two-wheel scooters and kept the “Women on Wheels” rolling toward employment with food and household delivery companies.
Action during COVID times
● Provided grassroots support to relief initiatives including: disseminating emergency medical information, mental and emotional health programming, preventive measures, and promotion of vaccination.
The way forward
● Engage in public mobilization and outreach with goal of enrolling 40 women in “Women on Wheels”
● Conduct one-on-one home counseling sessions with program participants to ensure retention.
● Train project staff on counseling to better address psychological and social needs of participants.
● Monthly meetings with project participants and SAKHA consultancy (for-profit job placement partner) to track dropouts and ensure retention.
The way forward
● Orienting Anganwadi teachers on Early Childhood Education (ECE) programme components.
● Strengthening parents monitoring committee
● Conducting awareness programmes on child labor at the community level
● Implementing Life Skills Modules in child collectives to inculcate self-esteem and self confidence
● Transact life skills modules on sexual and reproductive health in adolescent girls collectives
Project Impact
12
Women enrolled in driver training
8
Women enrolled in two-wheel scooter training
4
Women enrolled in automobile program
12,000
Families reached through awareness campaign on “non-traditional” livelihood options for women
Last Year’s Grant Disbursed: $4,795
Current Year’s Approved Grant – $9,589
Story
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