Over 120 women have just completed a three month training program on how to operate and maintain electric-powered motorbikes taxis in an industry currently dominated by male drivers in Rwanda.
The initiative aims to enhance the environment while also challenging people’s perceptions about women.
The women’s trainer, Ornella Uwobasa, points out, they aim to “Alter the attitude” by demonstrating that women can perform the job.
“We want to see women on the roads, and everyone to know that women can work on the road,” she tells the media
The project, jointly owned by the city authorities and a private company, is aimed at employing poor women who are given the motorbikes for free.
The city’s vice-mayor, Martine Urujeni, said that the project will cut carbon emissions and reduce unemployment.
“We focused on vulnerable women like single mothers – divorced and widows – because we want to improve their lives.”
Around 35,000 motor-bike taxis are registered in Kigali, some drive up to 10 hours a day, often covering hundreds of kilometres daily but most are operated by men.
Rwanda encourages the use of electric motor vehicles but their numbers are still low, with only 150 registered so far this year.
