Wow – SSF

Women on Wheels - WOW

Background

At 25%, female participation rate in Pakistan is well below rates for countries with similar income levels. In other words, 75% of Pakistani women (aged 15 years and above) do not even seek work. While there are several factors such as social norms or violence against women that hold them back from joining the labour force, little is said about the demand for their work, the access to skill training, and employment provisions. Men with similar levels of education or skill can still seek and acquire employment, while women cannot because such opportunities are not available to them. 75% of Pakistani women are still waiting for support as well as the means and training to earn their own living. Engaging with this barrier successfully would mean encouraging women to be self-sufficient and empowering them through direct access interventions.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Salman Sufi Foundation has taken the initiative to cater to this inequality and lack of opportunity for women. As part of this initiative, SSF is planning to execute the Women-on-Wheels (WoW) program in Lahore again. This is being executed to empower women and provide them with freedom of mobility to become socially and financially independent.

Women-on-Wheels (WoW) is an unprecedented social movement that aims to increase women’s security, independent mobility and peaceful expression of autonomy in public spaces of Pakistan as well as leading to increase in economic opportunities and economic independence.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA COVERAGE

Due to extensive efforts executed under an untiring campaign, WoW has become
internationally recognised as Pakistan’s only movement for women’s safe
mobility.

Women motorcyclists ditch the side saddle in Pakistan - Daily Mail

Kate Vyborny, a Duke University researcher who studies transportation in Pakistan, said Women on Wheels could help “shift the norms around women in public spaces” and fight the conservative stereotype that a woman straddling a motorcycle is somehow indecent.

Motorcycle diaries: The ‘Women on Wheels’ initiative - Herald, Dawn

Punjab launched a motorbike subsidy scheme as part of its ‘Women on Wheels’ initiative. Under the scheme, it aims to provide 3,000 customised motorcycles at subsidised rates along with free driving lessons.

Women on Wheels' in Pakistan's Punjab Province Aimed at Expanding Workforce - VOA News

As part of a wave of women's empowerment programs, Pakistan's Punjab province is running a campaign called "Women on Wheels", a program that trains women to ride motorcycles as a way to raise awareness of gender-based violence and street harassment. VOA’s Mariama Diallo reports on the excitement and independence the campaign has brought to participants.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Lack of access to public spaces because of perpetual harassment and
threat of violence on public transportation: 75% of women using public
transport in Pakistan have reported instances of physical and sexual
harassment (UN report).
Devaluation and exploitation of women’s work due to their significant
participation in the informal economy: The formal labour market of Pakistan comprises 25% female participants only. Particularly telling is that, of those who do work, 30% work in their own home. Even those women who do leave home to work do not travel as far to their workplace as men do. In Lahore, most women choose to work from home to avoid potential harassment on public transportation for which they give up on formalised rights and protections.

STATISTICS

0 +

Women Trained under WOW in Pakistan

Subsidized bikes distributed to women in Punjab across 5 districts

0 %

of Women emplyed through WoW in areas of logistics, food delivery, sales representatives.

WOMEN ON WHEELS PREVIOUS CAMPAIGNS

1) Government of Punjab 2016

Past Project Outcomes
Total no. of women trained	5000 +
No. of subsidized motorcycles	718

2) Careem Karachi 2019 - 2020

Past Project Outcomes
Total no. of women to be employed	10,000

3) Government of Sindh - 2020

Past Project Outcomes
Total no. of women trained	10,000

4) FoodPanda Karachi 2020

Past Project Outcomes
Total no. of women trained	200 +
No. of Females onboard Foodpanda employment	20

5) K Electric Karachi 20201

Past Project Outcomes
Total no. of women trained	200 +

6) UNDP Lahore 2022

Past Project Outcomes
Total no. of women trained	200

7) Interloop Limited Faisalabad 2022 - Ongoing

Past Project Outcomes
Total no. of women trained so far	400+
Target No. of Females to be trained	1500

WOMEN ON WHEELS PREVIOUS CAMPAIGNS

1) Government of Punjab 2016

Past Project Outcomes
Total no. of women trained	5000 +
No. of subsidized motorcycles	718

2) Careem Karachi 2019 - 2020

Past Project Outcomes
Total no. of women to be employed	10,000

3) Government of Sindh - 2020

Past Project Outcomes
Total no. of women trained	10,000

4) FoodPanda Karachi 2020

Past Project Outcomes
Total no. of women trained	200 +
No. of Females onboard Foodpanda employment	20

5) K Electric Karachi 20201

Past Project Outcomes
Total no. of women trained	200 +

6) UNDP Lahore 2022

Past Project Outcomes
Total no. of women trained	200

7) Interloop Limited Faisalabad 2022 - Ongoing

Past Project Outcomes
Total no. of women trained so far	800+
Target No. of Females to be trained	1500

OBJECTIVES AND LONG-TERM IMPACT

The goal of the WoW campaign is to create a space where the women of Pakistan can feel empowered
for the reclamation of public spaces for peaceful expression of economic and social autonomy for
the women of Pakistan.

The primary objectives of the WoW project are:

A. Challenge the social dynamics of Pakistani society and shift the social norms in the society even further so that it’s more acceptable for women to drive motorbikes;

B. Socially and economically empower women to participate in decision-making processes and become active peace agents;

C. Provide women with equitable access to transport and the public space

PROJECT MODELS

1) Identify & Train Females

S.No	Activity	Objectives
1.	Identify females who want to be trained via social media campaign and launch a WoW outreach campign	● Provision of equal opportunity for all females between the ages of 18 – 50 ● A comprehensive outreach and communication campaign to be launched on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and print media, along with influencer engagement ● To improve women’s mobility by increasing awareness about the availability of training lessons, women’s right to freedom of movement, and availability of Women Protection laws in the country
2.	Motorcycle Training with classes on traffic rules, basic motorcycle maintenance	● Provision of basic skills to enhance women’s mobility
3.	Empowerment Workshops	● Sessions to mainstream the concept of gender equity and equality across applicants to compliment the newly acquired skill ● To build confidence for going on the road ● To maximize the gains of the newly acquired skill and feel empowered and comfortable in their new role, especially after employment
4.	Assistance in obtaining Learner’s Permits & Permanent Licences	● To increase female participants on streets ● to encourage trained females to be independent and feel more confident
5.	Budget Components	1)Training Components a) Fuel & Bike Maintenance b) Road Safety & Anti-Harassment Workshops 2) Project Staff Salaries a) Project Admin b) Trainers c) Support Staff 3) Training Equipment a) Motorbikes b) Bicycles c) Helmets d) Safety gears 4) Miscellaneous

3) HR Placement Models

S. No	Activity	Details
1.	Connect trained female riders with potential employers	● A company can sign an MoU with SSF to have trained female riders on board their HR for an administrative fee
2.	Budget	● HR placement Fee

2) Train Identified Females

S.No	Activity	Objectives
1.	Females to be pre identified by the sponsor. For e.g SSF can train identified female employees of a company (sponsor)	● Provision of opportunity for female employees between the ages of 18 – 50 to be independent
2.	Motorcycle Training with classes on traffic rules, basic motorcycle maintenance	● Provision of basic skills to enhance women’s mobility
3.	Empowerment Workshops	● Sessions to mainstream the concept of gender equity and equality across applicants to compliment the newly acquired skill ● To build confidence for going on the road ● To maximize the gains of the newly acquired skill and feel empowered and comfortable in their new role, especially after employment
4.	Assistance in obtaining Learner’s Permits & Permanent Licences	● To increase female participants on streets ● to encourage trained females to be independent and feel more confident
5.	Budget Components	1)Training Components a) Fuel & Bike Maintenance b) Road Safety & Anti-Harassment Workshops 2) Project Staff Salaries a) Project Admin b) Trainers c) Support Staff 3) Training Equipment a) Motorbikes b) Bicycles c) Helmets d) Safety gears 4) Miscellaneous

Testimonials

It was my dream to learn how to ride a bike since I was a child but it never happened because it was never seen as acceptable in Pakistan nor was there any formal training available to girls. Women on Wheels changed that for me and enable me to fulfill my lifelong dream

Amna WoW Trainee

I always felt like I was a burden on my family but after receiving the WoW training I feel like I am in a better position to make decisions for myself. I also feel like I am more valued at home because I can actively contribute towards the wellbeing of the household.

Rukhsana WoW Trainee

Amna WoW Trainee

Partnerships

For Registration please Contact

03350000814

WoW - Women on Wheels

1/4

Pakistani women are nearly 4 times as less mobile than men.

80 %

Women’s mobility is severely dependent upon public transport

24%

Women Labor Force Participation is at an abysmal.

70%

Women cite lack of transportation as a major hindrance towards full employment.

75%

Of women have been harassed in public buses

VISION

WoW aims to peacefully reclaim public space for the active participation of women in public spaces without fear of violence, harassment or backlash.

DETAILS

The project includes free motorbike riding training, safety and empowerment workshops, development of a women’s safety app, and specialized sessions with potential employers in order to create a viable economic ecosystem for participants

GOALS

Our goal is to train 500,000 women by 2025 by creating a self-sustainable economic ecosystem mainstreaming women’s mobility and participation the formal economy of Pakistan

IMPACT

Women trained in Punjab from 2016 - 2018

0 +

Women trained in Karachi alone in the year 2019-2020.

Subsidized motorbikes distributed to women in Punjab across 5 districts.

0 %

Of Women employed through WoW in areas of logistics, food delivery, sales representatives.

0 %

Of our WoW trainees have cited a decrease in harassment since they have started to drive their own motorbikes.

0 %

Of WoW Trainees have cited an improvement in their self esteem and self confidence.

Future Target

250,000 Training for women to learn how to ride motorbikes by 2025.

Violence Against Women Center

PROBLEMS

33%

Women globally experience sexual or physical violence

8

Women raped, 11 battered and assaulted in Punjab (DIG Investigations Branch 2013).

1.5-2.5%

Conviction rate in Punjab for Gender Based Violence Cases.

6th

Pakistan ranks sixth on the list of world’s most dangerous countries for women

4th

Worst performing country in the world with regards to Gender Discrimination (Thomas Reuters 2018)

VISION

The innovative Violence Against Women Center offers a unique solution across the whole of South Asia regarding effective justice delivery mechanisms for survivors of gender based violence. VAWC offers a 24 hour service along with a toll free helpline which ensures GBV survivors have access to all justice delivery mechanisms such as Police, Medico-legal facilities, Psychologists, Prosecutors as well as Mediation. The first Center was established in Multan with an aim to expand these centers across all 36 districts of Punjab. Recently the Government of Sindh has also shown keen interest in the establishment of VAWC in Sindh in collaboration with UNWomen

IMPACT

0 +

Resolved cases related to Gender Based Violence in a period of two years

0 /7

Round the Clock Service

ONLY country in South Asia to create a one stop model to tackle gender based violence

SALMAN SUFI FOUNDATION

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