Women on Wheels Event Highlights Safe Mobility and Economic Inclusion

PAKISTAN: Efforts to expand women’s access to safe and independent transportation gained momentum as more than 300 female scooty riders were recognized at a “Women on Wheels” event aimed at linking mobility with women’s economic participation and empowerment.

Organized by She Drives in collaboration with City Traffic Police, the event brought together political, academic and business figures to highlight the role of safe transportation in improving women’s access to education, employment and entrepreneurship.

Among those attending were MPA Malik Shahbaz Khokhar, MPA Sumbal Malik, MPA Somia Atta Shahani, Vice Chancellor of Leads University Dr. Nadeem Bhatti and serial entrepreneur Adeel Gondal.

Speakers praised the initiative and emphasized the need for reliable transportation that enables women to travel independently and participate more fully in public and economic life.

More than 300 female scooty riders were recognized for taking steps towards independent mobility, with speakers describing their participation as an example for other women considering two-wheelers as a means of transportation.

Ammaz Farooqi, Founder of She Drives, said the platform was established to address safety and comfort concerns faced by women using conventional ride-hailing services.

“Safe mobility is a right of every woman. On conventional ride-hailing platforms, women often have to travel with drivers of the opposite gender, and many women have reported discomfort and harassment-related concerns. She Drives provides a female-to-female ride experience, offering women greater comfort, safety, dignity and peace of mind.”

Farooqi said the platform also seeks to create income-generating opportunities for female drivers, enabling women to participate as service providers as well as passengers.

Shahzad Roshan Gillani, Director Awareness and Collaboration at She Drives, said the initiative aimed to build a wider ecosystem around women’s mobility.

“We are not only talking about an app; we are building an ecosystem for women. Women’s participation in Pakistan’s economy is extremely important. More than half of Pakistan’s population consists of women, and enabling them to move safely and independently is essential for national economic and social progress. Safe mobility is therefore not a luxury; it is a necessity.”

Speakers said initiatives such as Women on Wheels could help shift social attitudes towards women’s use of two-wheelers while expanding access to workplaces, educational institutions and entrepreneurial opportunities.

The event concluded with a commitment to strengthen cooperation between the public and private sectors in promoting women’s mobility, road safety and economic inclusion.