This week You! takes a look at an initiative designed to encourage women’s mobility. The programme empowers women not just with driving skills, it also offers them the tools to navigate both personal and professional landscapes with greater freedom. Read on…
In Pakistan, generally, girls and women rely on men for mobility - whether for work, grocery shopping, or school pick-ups - due to socio-cultural norms, safety concerns, and economic factors. Traditional gender roles position men as the primary providers, leaving women dependent on them for transportation. Pakistan’s inadequate public transport system and poor infrastructure further complicate independent mobility for women.
However, in today’s fast-paced world it has become important for women to become mobile for a number of practical reasons. Beyond personal empowerment, it enhances household value. When women can navigate confidently, they gain access to better job opportunities, education, and social networks, fostering resilience. This shift promotes equality, shared household responsibilities, and builds stronger, more resilient communities.
Realising the importance of women’s independent mobility, PSO (Pakistan State Oil) has taken an ambitious initiative through their recently launched programme ‘Shaheen’, designed to enhance women’s mobility. The programme empowers women not just with driving skills but with the belief that they can overcome societal barriers, reach new heights, and write their own stories.
While explaining the aims and objectives of this profound initiative, Iyshah Faizan, General Manager, Brand Management and Corporate Communications of PSO, says, “We have named this programme ‘Shaheen’, drawing inspiration from the profound poetry of Allama Iqbal and the resilient spirit of the Shaheen bird. Shaheen is not just about driving training; it is about unleashing the untapped potential within every woman across Pakistan.”
“Iqbal’s verses encourage individuals to break free from limitations. By localising the programme with Iqbal’s symbolism, particularly the Shaheen, the initiative became relatable to Pakistani women. We want women to see themselves as this magnificent bird - bold, resilient, and capable of soaring,” adds Iyshah.
The programme offers comprehensive training in both car driving and bike riding. However, the programme doesn’t stop at driving skills; it offers women the tools to navigate both personal and professional landscapes with greater freedom. It’s a movement toward collective empowerment, providing women with the tools to build their futures and navigate the roads to their dreams. This shift in women’s mobility, both literal and figurative, has a ripple effect, inspiring future generations to embrace opportunities once thought unreachable.
“Our programme is rooted in courage, fostering confidence and self-belief; freedom, encouraging independence and decision-making; and empowerment, driving economic participation and leadership. With this vision, we aim to empower women to lead, inspire, and propel national progress,” elucidates Iyshah.
Beyond skill-building, the programme fosters a supportive community where women uplift each other. It facilitates access to easy loans, removing financial barriers. The programme has also mobilised industries and resources, creating a network of support. This initiative has fostered collaboration, bringing together resources from different sectors to ensure that women can access opportunities and overcome financial barriers. In doing so, the programme is not only changing the lives of women but also contributing to the overall development and progress of Pakistani society.
“When designing the Shaheen programme, the key question was how to untap the potential of 50 per cent women? That’s a tough battle to fight from the start. Notwithstanding with the teething problems, we were able to design a programme - focusing on women - showing how mobility could help them optimise their lives whether you are a homemaker or a working woman, being mobile means, you can manage tasks more efficiently and create your own space,” shares Iyshah.
“No big feat is achieved without overcoming the challenges. At the beginning, the idea of women getting on a bike and hitting the road wasn’t appreciated. Abba nahe maanengen, shohar ijazat nahe dengen, and other responses were the key problems to address. It makes one look twice when a female is riding a bike. So, another challenge, beyond changing the narrative, was addressing the real fears women face,” points out Iyshah. Even when we learn to ride a bike, the question arises - are we risking our lives in the process? Safety concerns are valid, especially in our environments where women may face hostility. When you are at a traffic signal, there is always a chance of encountering negativity. The real challenge is, can you stay calm and composed in those situations? These are not just concerns for the women themselves, but also for parents who understandably worry about their daughters’ safety on the road.
Despite these hurdles, the landscape is changing. Of late, women riding bikes on the busy streets of big cities has become a common sight. “We are seeing more women out there - whether as food delivery riders, bikers, or simply getting around completing their daily tasks,” observes Iyshah. This visible shift is crucial, but it is also important to recognise that these women are raising and nurturing the next generation. The involvement of men in this process is essential. “The other half of the population must also be part of this change, Men, who often set the boundaries, need to realise that by supporting women’s mobility, they are not only empowering them but also lightening their own load,” stresses Iyshah. “When men understand that allowing women to be mobile is not just about freedom - it is about sharing responsibilities - then real progress can happen,” she adds.
“If you watch the initial screening videos, where participants share why they want to learn to ride, their stories are incredible and deeply moving. These one-minute clips are used to decide who gets accepted into the programme, and each story is more heartfelt than the last. We never anticipated such an overwhelming response to the programme. But given how opportunity-thirsty our people are, even offering a small chance can yield phenomenal results. We received 600 stories, and selecting just a few was incredibly difficult. Many women simply wanted to escape the challenges of public transport, with some expressing the desire for a car to keep their children safe. It wasn’t so much a struggle as it was a journey of achievement, driven by the resilience of these women,” explains Iyshah.
An inspiring example is a 60-year-old school principal who enrolled in the programme. Learning to ride a bike at this age was a commendable act on her part. She is now riding on a bike to school, and in doing so, she is normalising the idea for her students and colleagues. Her decision to learn has had a ripple effect, making it more acceptable for the younger generation to embrace the same independence and freedom.
“The first batch has begun. At the initial stage, 120 women have been selected for the driving training, with 100 participants for bike riding and 20 for car driving. Out of 120, 35 are left and the rest have graduated. We had only taken candidates from Karachi. But from December onwards, we are going to go nationwide to take applicants from Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad,” she shares.
“For me, learning to ride a bike wasn’t just a skill - it’s a newfound sense of independence. It has given me the freedom to move around on my own terms. I go out to buy groceries for my mom and sometimes even ride out for breakfast. I also pick up and drop off my sister from her friend’s place,” tells one of the Shaheens to this scribe.
“I already knew how to drive a car, but riding a bike was something I always wanted to do. I learned to ride a bike in just six days, which made it all the more worth it. A bike is much more economical - petrol-wise - and parking is never an issue,” expresses another Shaheen.
“I used to rely on ride-hailing services, but they aren’t economical, and I was often dependent on my husband. With my husband working long hours, it became a challenge to commute. I decided to buy a bike, enrolled myself in the programme and now I ride within my area. It has given me the freedom to manage things on my own,” shares a Shaheen who happens to be a teacher.
“I am a doctor by profession and I have odd duty hours. Commuting to the hospital was a task, but not any longer. Inspired by Shaheen programme and encouraged by my father, I learned how to ride a bike and now I go to the hospital any time without any hassle,” elucidates the lady doctor.
Not only women bikers are now a common sight, women pump attendants are also seen at various petrol pumps in Karachi. “This is a male-dominated industry, and I wasn’t sure how I’d handle dealing with all kinds of customers,” tells a pump attendant to this scribe. “I serve everyone - from bikers to rickshaw drivers to jeep owners. Initially, my brother was against the idea of me standing at the pump station but my father supported me. The staff at the pump station is very cooperative and friendly. They have trained me in everything, from handling litres and units to customer service. It’s been two years now, and I feel comfortable doing this job,” shares the attendant.
Hence, the Shaheen programme addresses key barriers women face - limited transport access, cultural restrictions, financial constraints, and lack of driving skills. By offering driving training, affordable vehicle solutions through bank partnerships, and mobility empowerment, it builds confidence. This initiative fosters women’s workforce participation, driving economic growth and social inclusivity.
Over time, this vision evolved into something much larger. Talking about the different aspects of this programme Iyshah explains, “It’s not just about driving, it’s about women stepping outside their comfort zones, challenging societal norms, and realising their full potential. Our programme has sparked conversations that were once unheard of, encouraging women to embrace mobility as a means to unlock new opportunities,” she adds.
“The programme fosters a strong community for women with shared experiences and aspirations, offering mentorship, emotional support, and knowledge sharing. Through networking events, mentorship programmes, and online forums, it creates a safe space for women to inspire and uplift one another. As the programme expands nationwide, it is driving a powerful ripple effect of empowerment, safety, and convenience across Pakistan,” she elaborates.
The programme is guiding women every step of the way through the process of learner’s permits to full driving licenses, and even facilitating the leasing of bikes or cars. This ensured that the vehicles became their own, creating a sustainable means of income generation. Thanks to programmes like Shaheen - what started as a simple initiative to teach women driving skills has grown into a movement for independence and empowerment.
The writer is the Head of Content at a communication agency based in Karachi.
