Some Men Are Angry At These Women Auto Rickshaw Drivers [Video]

The women auto rickshaw drivers are having a tough time in Chennai, as men regularly harass them by routinely throwing away their keys or threatening violence.

I have taken a lot of autorickshaws in my life, but I have never taken one driven by a woman. Typically public transport modes such as taxis and rickshaws and more are the domain of men. But things are changing. Since March 2014 several hundred women ply auto rickshaws in Chennai. They make their living and also offer an option for women travelers who  feel more safe with women drivers and prefer to ride with them. But it hasn’t been an easy journey. They are routinely harassed and threatened by male autorickshaw drivers, who feel that the women threaten their source of income and even routinely throw away their keys, deflate tires as well as threaten physical violence. They have to worry about sexual assault and other threats and often have a self-imposed curfew. The prevailing tariffs aren’t always enough for them to make a living for themselves and their families. But more and more women continue to sign up with rickshaw companies, a hopeful sign. Other cities have taxi services run by women including Priyadarshini Taxi Service. If you know more, let us know by leaving a comment below.

Cover image via Shutterstock

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