Tuk-tuk drivers in cities like Delhi are being taught to offer a friendlier service to citizens and travellers. Apart from encouraging drivers to offer services such as reading material, phone charging facilities and even wi-fi internet connectivity in the near future, drivers are being taught to treat all passengers with respect, regardless of gender.
India has been labelled the worst place to be a woman out of all the G20 countries, as voted by gender specialists around the world, according to The Guardian. In developing countries, informal motorised modes of transport like tuk-tuks (formally called auto rickshaws) are often associated with unsafe riding conditions, harassment and rides are preferably offered to male passengers. A study on Gender and Sustainable Urban Mobility carried out in 2013 revealed that female tuk-tuk passengers are often judged by the driver and are on the receiving end of comments about their appearance and behaviour.
According to a report in The Hindu, titled ‘A friendly makeover for the auto space’, Delhi-based non-governmental organisation Manas (Human) is training auto drivers in Burari, North Delhi and Loni in neighbouring Ghaziabad to change attitudes and mentalities towards women, with the aim of teaching them tolerance towards women.
“A team of four trainers, including clinical psychologists, educate the auto drivers through slide and screen shows, psycho analysis games and interactive lectures that include data on crimes against women. The training is imparted six days a week. As part of the module, one hour of the training is on fitness certificates that includes checking/clearing the documents. Another hour is spent on behavioural training.” the report quotes the NGOs representative and psychologist at Manas.
The initiative is a small but fundamental step towards changing attitudes towards women and building a safe city for female residents and travellers.