Women drivers take the wheel under Telangana police’s Sthree Ride initiative

Hyderabad: In a significant step toward improving women’s safety and economic empowerment, the Telangana police’s Women Safety Wing (WSW) on Saturday launched Sthree Ride, a special initiative aimed at making daily travel safer for women passengers while creating employment opportunities for women in the transport sector.

The programme is built on the belief that women’s safety, empowerment, and financial independence are closely interconnected.

Addressing a press conference, director general (Women Safety Wing), Charu Sinha, said the initiative was introduced in response to concerns raised by women commuters.

“Many women have shared concerns about their safety while commuting. Through this programme, we are trying to provide them with a safer travel option while also creating employment opportunities for women,” she said.

Officials said that in the first phase of the programme, specialised training was provided to 50 women bike riders, four women auto-rickshaw drivers, and one woman cab driver. The initiative is currently being implemented across four commissionerates in Hyderabad.

In addition to training, women drivers are being connected with private transport companies and mobility platforms to help them secure employment. The programme is designed to offer women regular income opportunities while providing the flexibility to manage their work schedules.

With support from private companies, 50 electric scooters and five electric autos have been provided to women drivers for training and employment.

Organisations such as Bigili, Zippi, Moving Women Social Initiatives, and MOWO Fleet (MOWO) have partnered with the programme by offering training, vehicles, and employment opportunities in the mobility sector.

Urging women to remain confident and continue pursuing opportunities in the sector, director general of police (HOPF) CV Anand said, “While working as drivers, women may face challenges or harassment, but the police department will always stand with them.”

Going forward, the Telangana police plans to expand STHREE RIDE across the state and extend opportunities to women in logistics, cargo, and delivery services.

Officials said the initiative is also intended to encourage women to enter professions traditionally dominated by men, helping them build confidence, achieve financial independence, and contribute to a safer transportation ecosystem.