True inclusion transcends the walls of corporate offices. A sincere effort to raise the lot of the weaker sections ultimately benefits organisation which exists within the community. The Ceat Swayam initiative provides training to underprivileged women with greater economic benefit than the usual occupation of domestic help, cleaner or caretaker.
The program focuses on Promoting Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment by driving change within the industry that CEAT operates in – the motor driving/transport industry. It aims to break stereotypes and pave a new path for the less privileged women in a male dominated field – a career in Driving!
Launched by RPG Foundation in 2014, 371 women were enrolled initially in Mumbai & Pune. In FY 2015-16, Swayam has moved to 13 cities Pan India. By March 2016, the program aims at training more than 2000 women drivers. RPG Foundation has partnered with Motor Education and Training Association,Western India Automobile Association and iCare Learning Private Limited tom impart end-to-end training under Swayam. Presently training is ongoing in Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Nashik, Chennai, Madurai, Bangalore & Hyderabad. Mobilization of women is ongoing in Delhi/NCR and Nagpur.
Screening Candidates
Over 3000 women were mobilized of which few hundred selected. The emphasis is on ensuring that the recipient of training is keen on pursuing driving as a career. Another equally crucial task is sensitizing her family to guard against drop-outs. It is important to get the support of key family members and ensure they are open to her working an 8 to 10 hour day.
The Training –Not only driving!
The women are trained in driving skills, defensive driving, mechanics and allied skills like functional English, grooming, driver etiquette and manners, financial literacy and first aid. These trainings enable the women to stand out as professional and polished women drivers. The rigorous self -defence training enables the lady drivers to take on any unforeseen situation with confidence.
Mentoring newly trained women drivers
The roads are rough! Often coming from traditional and protected environment, the new drivers are first exposed to working conditions with an experienced driver / mentor as a co-driver. The women are also encouraged by inspiring talks from existing women drivers and placement partners.
Placement
Partnerships have been garnered with various placement partners like Female Taxi Services, Radio Taxis like MERU, Web Aggregators like Uber and Ola, School Bus Owners Association, Fleet Taxis, Valet Parking Services, Driver-on-Call online services, etc. A full time driver in a taxi service can easily earn a comfortable monthly income of Rs 8000 to Rs 15000.
Impact
This social initiative not only ensures a steady income to underprivileged women but also provides a safe transport solution for women in all walks of life.
Felicitation of Ceat Swayam Drivers by Smt. Snehal Ambekar, Mayor of Mumbai
“We hope to see a transformation in the life of less privileged women trained under Swayam Program, driving vehicles across many cities in India and improving the quality of their life!”
-Anant Goenka
Managing Director CEAT
With special thanks to Nandina Ramchandran, Head Group Corporate Social Responsibility of RPG Group of Companies & Anagha Poojari, Senior Program Lead- Swayam RPG Foundation.
