HYDERABAD: Among the long list of poverty elimination programmes in rural areas, one of the most popular among women in Narayanpet district is learning how to ride a two-wheeler.
After assessing the livelihood opportunities it provides, women in dozens have been thronging the training centres each week.
Some 101 women from Narayanpet have got a learning license for two wheelers after having enrolled for the free driving classes organised by the office of collector & district magistrate. About 35 women have already learnt driving in the first batch and more women are being trained in the second batch.
“For decades I wanted to learn how to ride a two-wheeler. Unlike the urban crowd, we don’t have easy access to driving schools,” said one of the beneficiaries not wanting to be identified. “I was able to learn it this year. I also got a driving licence from Mahabubnagar Regional Transport Authority (RTA) office. I thank the government and MoWo (Moving Women) Social Initiatives for teaching us how to ride,” she said.
Women from villages are being encouraged to learn two-wheeler riding under Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP), a programme by department of rural development.
“All the training is imparted following Covid-19 protocols and within a safe environment,” said Hari Chandana Dasari, Narayanpet district collector. “Mobility not only imparts confidence among women, but also increases their potential to pick up better livelihood opportunities.”
The SERP is a sensitive supportive structure to facilitate social mobilisation of rural poor women. It works by building and nurturing self help groups of women and their federations.