“Just a slap, but he can't hit me." This dialogue from the movie Thappad, directed by Anubhav Sinha, is not just a dialogue, it’s an inspiration for many women in the country. I realised this when I met Saraswati Singh, a woman cab driver from Delhi. "If he beats me once, he will beat me again," she said with conviction, emphasising that women must first shed the fear that holds them back. 

As I booked a cab, I saw the driver’s name as Saraswati on my phone screen. My internal stereotype, as a man, did not make me question the gender of the driver, and I assumed it to be the surname of a male driver. But as soon as the cab arrived, I was surprised to see a woman behind the wheel. I got in, told her the pin, and as we started moving, curiosity took over. The first question I asked—one she had likely heard many times before—was, "Chala toh lengi na aap?" (Will you be able to drive?). I asked humorously, but let’s not forget stereotypes are often masked as jokes. She smiled and replied, "Aap jab destination pe pahunch jaaye toh is sawaal ka jawab aap hi dena" (Once we reach your destination, you can answer that yourself).

Six years ago, Saraswati worked as a domestic help, washing dishes and cleaning homes to make ends meet. Financial struggles pushed her to look for something better. That’s when she found out about the Azad Foundation, an organisation that trains women to become professional drivers. In 2017, she began working as a driver at the airport. She also drove rental cars for years until she bought her own car in 2023. Originally from Prayagraj, Saraswati is now a single mother. Her day begins with preparing her children for school before heading to work. From 2 PM until late at night, she drives across Delhi, picking up and dropping off passengers, all while ensuring she earns enough to sustain her family. On how male passengers react to seeing a woman drive, she says, "Who decides which job is for men and which one is for women?"

In a world where gender roles continue to dictate professional choices, the Azad Foundation is challenging stereotypes by training women to become drivers. "We are a feminist organisation," says Madhubala, who currently heads Azad Foundation Delhi. "We believe in gender equality and aim to break the patriarchal myth that women can only engage in traditional professions like making papads, pickles, or stitching." Since its inception in 2008, the Azad Foundation has been working to create livelihood opportunities for women by training them as professional drivers. "Driving has always been perceived as a male-dominated profession," she explains. "We want to change that by enabling women to take up driving not just as a skill but as a career." The foundation operates in four cities: Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, and Jaipur. "Currently, there are around 5,000 women drivers across these cities, with over 100 women employed as drivers with Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC)," Madhubala shares. The initiative not only challenges traditional gender roles but also enables financial independence for women from low-income backgrounds. Beyond public transport, women trained by the foundation are now employed with ride-hailing services like BlueSmart and delivery platforms such as Zomato, Swiggy, and Amazon. "There are several gender-based myths about driving, night shifts, and navigation," she points out. "We are working to dismantle these biases and make the profession accessible to all genders."

The Azad Foundation does more than just teach women how to drive. It conducts empowerment sessions that cover topics such as gender discrimination, workplace readiness, and addressing domestic violence. "Many of the women we work with have experienced domestic violence," Madhubala says. "We equip them with the knowledge to identify violence, improve their communication skills, and plan their way forward." For women who seek legal support, the foundation collaborates with organisations like JAGORI, and the Delhi Legal Services Authority (DALSA). "While we don't directly provide legal aid, we connect women with networks that can support them through legal and emotional challenges," she explains. Saraswati, who was also subjected to domestic violence, decided one day to leave her abusive marriage. "Every girl should first remove the fear inside her, the fear of 'what will people say?'"

She acknowledges that the job is not easy. "Earlier, we could hit our daily target in ten rides. Now, it’s tougher. So I look for shorter rides with better pay." One of the biggest challenges for not only women passengers but drivers too, is safety, especially at night. Saraswati doesn’t carry any weapons for protection but takes precautions. "I avoid going to places like Gurgaon late at night and prefer staying within city limits," she admits. Despite these challenges, her presence on the road has inspired many female passengers. Many women passengers tell me that they feel safer with me, told Saraswati. “Whenever I travel after 9 pm in Delhi, I feel like my heart is on the brink. Today, I felt so safe with Saraswati, the only female driver in East Delhi, #Kudos to Saraswati.” wrote a woman passenger on X.

Saraswati Singh’s journey is not just about driving, it’s about survival, strength, and self-reliance. A survivor of domestic violence, she refused to stay in an abusive marriage. Instead, she chose the road as her path to independence and dignity. "Women should step out. It doesn’t matter how much they’ve studied. You learn by meeting new people," she says. From being a victim of domestic violence to becoming financially independent, Saraswati is a symbol of resilience. She proves that when women take control of the steering wheel both in life and on the road, they carve their path to empowerment. Her advice to other women? “Don’t listen to anyone. Stay in your lane. Drive slow, drive safe, but drive.”