Swaniti Initiative and Purpose organised a dialogue bringing together 4 women parliamentarians, women truck drivers, and women fleet operators to chart strategies for gender-inclusive freight electrification. The dialogue shed light on the lived experiences of women in freight and focused on how women can emerge as leaders to shape the transition to a cleaner freight.
India’s truck market is projected to grow rapidly as economic activity expands. This offers an opportunity to transition to zero emission trucks (ZETs) and reshape the employment landscape. A study estimates that the trucking sector will create approximately 30 million jobs by 2050 and ZETs will account for over 21 per cent of these jobs. This shift could be pivotal in addressing gender imbalances, as women find roles across the value chain.
Emphasising this opportunity brought on by India’s transition to cleaner freight, Saudamini Zutshi, Manager, Partnerships and Business Development, Purpose stated, “Women's participation in India's EV workforce has reached 11–15 per cent this is an early signal that change has begun.” Uma Bhattacharya, Trustee, Swaniti initiative underscored the significance of this transition and the policy support required to create a gender inclusive workforce noting, “Deliberate policy choices, shaped by the perspectives of those participating in the the new green economy are critical for a gender-balanced transition.”
Reema Jogani, CEO and founder of Reema Logistics, shared her experience working with vehicle sarthis, “There is a need for improved infrastructure with CCTV and parking facilities. Women drivers prefer to operate on local routes, as this allows them to better manage their care responsibilities”. Ms. Ummatunbibi Jahangir Shaikh, a pilot operating an electric bus stated, “Driving an electric vehicle improved my earnings, but more importantly I feel respected. The majority of people I interact with receive me well and I am able to share my experiences with other women who wish to participate in this space.” signifying how the transition to electric trucks is a welcome change”.
Shifting focus to the role women can perform to drive dual goals of gender inclusion and sustainability, MP Dr. Fauzia Khan, stated, “Electric vehicles present us with a rare opportunity to reimagine the way we do things. Seizing it demands collaboration across society, government, and industry to ensure that decision-making and the design of supporting infrastructure are intentionally shaped through a gender lens”. MP Dr. Sangeeta Balwant echoed this call to action and shared her vision for gender empowerment in the freight sector, “Driving a truck is no small feat, it may be even more challenging than flying a plane. Yet the women gathered here are proving that not only can they rise to that challenge, they are driving transformational change. We are ready to do things differently, and we stand committed to turning that determination into something truly impactful.”
MP Adv. Priya Saroj added, “While the right policies exist, at the ground level, challenges continue to still persist. A successful transition requires a change in people’s mindsets and extensive support from families. Increasing visibility of women in these spaces is also key to creating trust and transforming these sectors into spaces that are fit for women.”
MP. Mahima Kumari Mewar and the present MPs felicitated the participants and assured them that within their capacity, they will foster a safe and enabling environment for women in the emerging EV ecosystem.