Jai Bharathi’s participation in the Road to Mekong expedition opened her eyes to the transformative power of mobility for women. Witnessing the bike taxi drivers in Thailand, she realized the potential for empowering women in India through driving. Motivated by this revelation, she founded MOWO Social Initiatives, a non-profit organization, and is now building MOWO Fleet, a for-profit startup, to enhance women’s participation in the mobility workforce while generating livelihood opportunities.
As an architect and passionate biker from Hyderabad, Jai Bharathi embraced her love for riding during her college days as part of Bikerni Hyderabad. With an impressive travel record spanning Southeast Asia and the US, she noticed a stark gender imbalance on Indian roads compared to countries like Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
Determined to make Indian roads more gender-neutral and safe, she channelled her networks and embarked on a mission to teach women to drive.
MOWO Social Initiatives
In 2019, Jai Bharathi established MOWO Social Initiatives with an ambitious goal of enabling one million women in mobility by 2030. Advocacy became the initial focus, raising awareness among women from lower-income groups about the importance of access to mobility. Recognizing mobility as a skill for empowerment and employment, Jai Bharathi aimed to create diverse opportunities for women to run businesses, support their families, or pursue livelihoods using their newfound driving skills.
Motor Training and Empowerment
To fulfill the mission of MOWO Social Initiatives, Jai Bharathi initiated motor training programs, starting in Hyderabad. Utilizing the Motor Training Centre of the Department of Women and Child Welfare, Government of Telangana, MOWO Social empowers women by providing free training in two-wheelers and electric autorickshaws. With over 2,500 women trained in driving two-wheelers and 200 in electric autorickshaws, MOWO Social expands women’s skills, confidence, and employment prospects.
Enhancing Livelihood Opportunities in the Mobility Sector
Recognizing the challenges faced by women in sustaining employment within the mobility sector, Jai Bharathi launched MOWO Fleet as a for-profit startup. MOWO Fleet focuses on hiring women drivers and offering them improved livelihood opportunities. By partnering with platforms that prioritize women’s safety and well-being, providing adequate facilities, and ensuring flexible schedules, MOWO Fleet empowers women to earn a sustainable income while driving electric vehicles.
Future Plans
MOWO Social Initiatives and MOWO Fleet have already made a significant impact, providing training and employment to numerous women. Through MOWO Fleet, women drivers experience a direct 50% addition to their family income, earning approximately Rs 15,000-17,000 in limited working hours. The startup aims to expand its services, offering subscription-based commute services and hobby class pick-up and drop-off services in response to high demand in Hyderabad.
