Women in the Driver’s Seat

Empowering Women Through Driving Independence

A driver’s license can open so many doors. It signifies freedom, independence, and a greater sense of self-reliance. We were delighted that our program, funded through Merri-bek Council, could assist ten local women in getting closer to their goal of driving independence. This newfound freedom will enable them to experience greater engagement in all aspects of their lives, including family, work, and community.

Conducted over eight weeks in May and June, Prace’s Women in the Driver’s Seat (WIDS) program provided ten local women, who were residents of Merri-bek and had migrated from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, with funded driving lessons. Each participant received five driving lessons in conjunction with twenty hours of training. The training was designed to introduce them to the learner driver handbook, key aspects of road safety, and positive driver behaviours. It also covered general information about buying a car and basic car maintenance.

By the program’s end, six of the ten participants had booked their probationary license testing, and two participants had obtained their driver’s license. One of these participants, who had passed her test, had held her learner’s permit for seven years and indicated that the program gave her the push she needed to move forward and work towards solo driving.

One participant shared: “This program makes opportunities for me to practice driving on main roads with professional and respectful instructors. Women In the Driver’s Seat Program provides free driving lessons, which is a very big help for me financially. I would like to suggest please continue this program including me, a lot of women above 25 years old can’t drive and they don’t have anyone with a full driving license to practice with them.”

The program’s popularity saw 24 people placed on a waiting list, highlighting the need for such initiatives in the local area. We are currently seeking funding to continue this vital program. Please watch this space for information on future roll outs.

The Women in the Driver’s Seat program is not just about teaching women to drive. It is about empowering them, giving them the confidence to take control of their lives, and opening up a world of opportunities that were previously out of reach. We are excited to see how these women will continue to grow and thrive with their newfound independence.