It’s a different way of promoting the green transition, in this case, in pink. The Sindh province in Pakistan, in the southeastern region of the country, has recently launched a bold new initiative aimed at transforming mobility for women. Female students and employees can now utilize a fleet of pink electric scooters at no cost.
The Free Pink EV Scooty Scheme, as the initiative is known, is designed to offer women across the province a safer and cost-effective way to commute to school or work without relying on crowded and often unsafe public transportation.
Patriarchal society
Like many countries in the region, Pakistan is an Islamic republic and a profoundly patriarchal society. Women are encouraged to dress conservatively, and male company is required to be left alone. Women have to get used to penetrating male gazes, and reports of rape are unfortunately frequent.
This means that women, especially in conservative and rural areas, often face significant challenges in accessing safe and reliable transportation, let alone pursuing higher education or entering the workforce.
The Free Pink EV Scooty Scheme should do something about that by “enhancing mobility, independence, and access to safe transportation.” According to the Sindh Minister of Transport, Sharjeel Memon, “the project will cut commuting costs, save time, and increase safety for women on the move.”
Sindh residents only
Users are women who are permanent residents of the Sindh province, hold a valid driver’s license for a car or a motorcycle, and are either deployed or in school. They can apply, and the scooters are awarded via a transparent balloting or lottery, overseen by multiple government departments and the media.
The program includes complete registration, insurance, helmets, and even rider training. Riders will also have access to an expanding network of EV charging stations throughout Sindh, making this a fully supported electric mobility solution. To ensure safety, selected applicants will also need to pass a road skills test before riding off.
By investing in personal electric transportation for women, the government aims to enhance access to education and employment, reduce reliance on gas-powered public transportation, and promote sustainability.
Not the world’s first
The Sindh Scooty program might be the world’s first, giving free electric scooters (or similar vehicles) to women. However, there are precedents of similar initiatives from governments or institutions distributing free or subsidized vehicles (such as scooters or bikes) under specific social or mobility schemes.
For instance, in India, there is a program called “Free Scooty Distribution for Girls” under which meritorious girl students receive a gasoline scooter and a helmet. So, the idea is not entirely novel.
