New Delhi, India: Rapido, India’s largest ride-sharing platform, announced the expansion of its Pink Mobility initiative nationwide to create sustainable earning opportunities for women, championing employment generation, financial independence, and skill development. With a vision to build a sustainable fleet of over 2 lakh women captains across the country within the next three years, Rapido has taken a significant step forward by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two esteemed establishments — Azad Foundation and Sakha Consulting Wings.
To commemorate this milestone, Rapido hosted an event themed EmpowHer: Driving Financial Inclusion and Empowerment at the India International Centre in New Delhi.
The event brought together esteemed thought leaders, including prominent think tank founders, accomplished gig workers, and trailblazing women drivers, all united in their commitment to advancing the cause of women’s empowerment.
The program featured compelling panel discussions and insightful fireside chats, bringing together distinguished speakers such as Srinivas Rao, National Lead at Azad Foundation; Dr. Arpita Mukherjee, Professor at ICRIER; Barsha Chakraborty from Breakthrough; Anjana – the champion driver from Sakha; Meenu Vadera, Founder of Azad Foundation; Sunaina Kumar, Senior Fellow at ORF and Executive Director at Think20 India Secretariat; Bornali Bhandari, Professor at NCAER; and Shweta Aprameya, Founder and CEO of ARTH and Co-founder of HAPPY.
Discussions centred on critical issues such as creating equitable career pathways, addressing safety challenges, and enhancing financial literacy for women in non-traditional industries. These dialogues provided actionable insights and strategies aimed at driving meaningful change and fostering a more inclusive and empowered workforce for women across diverse sectors.
The tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Rapido, Azad Foundation, and Sakha Consulting Wings commits to train underprivileged women in professional driving skills, provide them with employment opportunities, and foster economic empowerment in the transport sector.
Through this partnership, Rapido is committed to:
Creating job opportunities for women drivers through the platform.
Ensuring a fixed monthly earning opportunities up to INR 25,000 for female captains, promoting long-term financial stability.
Supporting trained women drivers with vehicle procurement, registrations, mentorship, safety training, and awareness sessions.
Collaborating with policymakers to address the systemic challenges faced by women drivers through joint initiatives with Azad Foundation and Sakha.
Shravya Reddy, Chief of Staff, Rapido, shared, “We are deeply grateful to the esteemed panellists and guests who joined us today, sharing invaluable insights on breaking barriers, advancing women’s empowerment in mobility, and fostering financial independence. Empowering women is central to Rapido’s mission, and the nationwide expansion of our Pink Mobility initiative reflects our commitment to creating a more inclusive mobility ecosystem. Through our collaboration with Azad Foundation and Sakha, we are dedicated to offering women meaningful employment opportunities and equipping them with the resources they need to succeed. We look forward to expanding access to employment and financial independence for thousands of women across India.”
Meenu Vadera, Founder of Azad Foundation and Sakha, added: “Gender equality and ensuring women are able to realise their human rights is the cornerstone for societal advancement. At Azad Foundation and Sakha, our mission is to enable women empower themselves, gain essential skills and earn sustainable livelihoods with dignity. Our partnership with Rapido reflects a shared commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable mobility sector. Together, we are proud to enable women to achieve financial independence and succeed in non-traditional roles, contributing to a more inclusive future.”
The Azad Foundation is a pioneering NGO dedicated to empowering women through transformative skill education, mentorship, and policy engagement. Its mission is to enhance employability, promote lifelong learning, and facilitate access to sustainable livelihoods. Sakha Consulting Wings, a social enterprise, amplifies this mission by offering safe transport solutions for women and creating employment opportunities as professional drivers, advancing gender equality in the process.
As Rapido celebrates this milestone, it extends heartfelt gratitude to its partners, policymakers, and state governments for their pivotal role in making the launch of the Pink Mobility initiative a success. Rapido aims to scale this initiative beyond this month and launch it in cities across the country, and accordingly invites policymakers, industry leaders, and individuals to join hands in creating a future where every woman has the opportunity to thrive.
With the nationwide rollout of Pink Mobility, Rapido remains committed to creating lasting impact and paving the way for a future where women can thrive—both on the road and beyond.