The first batch of 21 women out of 600 has graduated from BRAC School of Driving recently. The school has been set up for promoting women drivers in the country breaking deep gender prejudices. All the 21 have already received job assurances from two private firms on the day of their passing out. In addition to driving, the training includes basic vehicle maintenance, traffic laws, parking, lane discipline, and practicing on simulator. Each graduate will earn at least Tk 10,000 ($ 122) a month, three times the salary of a garments worker. 

BRAC Director and head of the program Najmul Hussein hoped the well-trained women drivers will find good employment opportunities in the NGO sector which is well-known for vigorously promoting employment of women especially in ‘unconventional’ fields.   

The country has only 265 professional women drivers against an estimated 2.4 million males. The 8-week course is funded and conducted by BRAC in cooperation with Bangladesh Road Transports Authority (BRTA) of the Government. Female drivers’ involvement in fatal accidents is 50% less than male drivers, said Chairman of BRTA.