SHE TAXI PROJECT: PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

Abstract

Women empowerment process is one in which women find time and space of their own and begin to re-examine their lives critically and collectively. Role of women in the economic development of a country often remain invisible. Empowering women to participate fully in economic life across all sectors is essential to build stronger economy, sustainability and improve quality of life for women. She Taxi project is one such initiative. It was launched with little investment from state government and through partnership with several private sector agencies and was initiated by Gender Park, Government of Kerala. She taxis are driven by women for women and provide them with a safe means of transport. Even though women cabs were widely promoted they have been plagued by several problems also. The present study is an attempt to find out the problems faced by the She taxi drivers and the prospects as well. The researcher had adopted a qualitative approach with a case design for the study. Five cases were identified and information was collected from them directly using an interview guide. Through this research the researcher proposes for a comparative analysis of discontinued and continuing cab drivers to know more about the dynamics that pulled them back from this initiative in Trivandrum city. She Taxi project was a good and ambitious project of the Kerala State Women Development Corporation. In the study it was found that She Taxi drivers deserved more support from the banks and other agencies that gave loan to purchase vehicle. The She Taxi drivers didn’t have any specific taxi stand so that the women passengers can easily locate them. They faced many problems from the male taxi drivers. Many male drivers insulted them and used abusive language as they treated the women drivers as their competitors. Generally the police officials didn’t give them any support when they faced problems from male taxi drivers or anybody else including the passengers. Lack of social support was felt by the subjects of this study. Many drivers were restricted to enter to this job by their family members. She Taxi could be a good facility that can ensure the protection of women passengers in the state. The project will be also a part of larger movement towards women’s equality of job opportunity and it will also increase the role of women in public sphere.