[GSEF2016]: Livelihood with dignity for resource-poor women while providing safe & alternate transport services to women consumers

Category: 
SSE Organisation
Asia
Class: 
Social Service / Employment

Presented at: GSEF2016 Montreal 

Organisation: Sakha Consulting Wings Pvt Limited (Private or hybrid enterprise)

Date: September 7, 2016

Presenter: Sophia Akoijam (Chief Operating Officer)

Contacts: sophia@sakhaconsultingwings.com

Summary: 

Sakha Consulting Wings Pvt. Ltd is a hybrid social enterprise, launched in 2009 to provide safe transport solutions for women, by women in urban India. It provides 3 kinds of services: Sakha Chauffeur Placement Services, Sakha Cabs for Women (Commercial Taxi Service) and Sakha Chauffeur on Call.
The women drivers engaged by Sakha are handpicked from the poor and marginalized section of the society and their entire training and development is undertaken by Azad Foundation, Sakha’s non-profit sister organization. The training module takes a holistic approach, incorporating not only the aspect of imparting technical skills but also personal development training and women empowerment. Azad Foundation conducts training classes in communication, grooming, legal rights of women’s, particularly in understanding and protection from violence in public and personal space.
As of March 2016, Azad Foundation has about 600 trained drivers eligible for employment and Sakha has been able to provide employment to 300 drivers through its various services. Sakha is operational in New Delhi, Kolkata, Jaipur and Indore.