Chennai: Twenty women from slums learn driving, eye cushy jobs – Times of India

CHENNAI: For close to 20 women who have lived most of their lives in the slums of Teynampet, this Independence Day spelt out freedom in the real sense.
Due to the efforts of Sethu Foundation and Madras Spice Ladies Circle 133, the women were shortlisted for 20-day-long driving classes on August 15, following which they will be given jobs based on their adeptness behind the wheels.
Owning and driving a car continues to hold an aspirational value in the country. But for these women, it is a lot more— a clear reclamation of power inside their homes and neighbourhoods in concrete ways.
For Mahadevi, 34, a mother of two, getting to drive a car is a hard fought victory after her husband abandoned her and her parents opposed her decision to be out on the field all day. But eventually she was able to convince her father and is on her way to becoming a better driver.
Like Mahadevi, there are others such 45-year-old P Senthamarai, who will get back to work after many years of marriage, and 34-year-old J Nithya, who looks forward to earning much more than she did in her previous gig as a house help.
According to Janaki Kannan, director at Sethu Foundation, they are in talks with women of Ladies Circle as well as Directorate of Medical Services to appoint their most capable drivers to carpool kids to school, and ferry employees. “Our own members would be welcoming and reassured with the idea of having women drivers for our children,” says Yogita Jain, chairperson of Madras Spice Ladies’ Circle 133, which has sponsored the initiative.
“A week from now, we’re also planning to hold a workshop on how to use the GPS with ease while driving. It’s a long-term plan to secure their futures,” says Aditi G Shah, the project coordinator.