Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has launched a transformative women’s empowerment initiative in Punjab, focusing on enhancing women’s mobility and independence. The initiative includes the establishment of driving schools across the province to teach essential driving skills to women. Four new driving schools have been set up under this initiative: Abshar Driving School on Jail Road, Women on Wheels School on Ferozepur Road, Liberty Service Center Driving School, and Manawan Traffic Lines Driving School.
These schools offer comprehensive training in both motorcycling and car driving, with classes scheduled from 8 am to 4 pm to accommodate women’s varied schedules. Significantly, the driving schools provide a women-to-women service, ensuring that female instructors are available to guide and assist women learners. This approach aims to create a safe and supportive environment for women learning to drive.
The initiative is designed to promote women’s independence and mobility, equipping them with the skills needed to travel and access opportunities. Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Lahore has expressed strong support for the program, highlighting the importance of female instructors in making the initiative effective and accessible.
This initiative is part of a broader commitment to women’s empowerment and gender equality in Punjab. It addresses specific needs and concerns of women in driving education, encouraging them to consider two-wheeler mobility as well. Strategically located driving schools ensure accessibility for women in different areas of Lahore, facilitating increased participation in various socio-economic activities.
By offering these training programs, the initiative aligns with broader efforts to promote gender inclusivity in public spaces and services, aiming to reduce women’s dependency on male family members for transportation. It is a significant step towards building a more inclusive and equitable society, improving women’s safety, autonomy, and overall quality of life in Punjab.
