Pink City Rickshaw Company: Employment Opportunities For Women In Jaipur, India

Pink City Rickshaw Co. in Jaipur, India

Societal Expectations For Women In India

In India, it is still uncommon for women to hold employment. The societal expectations for women in India are to get married, have children, and rely on their husbands for financial security. While this may sound outdated to many Westerners, it’s the sad reality for many women around the world.

Not earning an independent income means women are not granted the same opportunities as men. Limit someone’s financial situation, and you limit their freedom. 

Women in India are starting to speak up and push for employment opportunities, but it’s not easy to find safe or reliable work. On my recent trip to India, I met women who, despite wanting to work, had to give up their jobs due to repeated harassment from men at their place of employment. 

If you ever want attention, be a couple of blonde-haired foreigners riding in a hot pink rickshaw driven by a woman. That’ll get heads turning.

Photo features our 10-day trip guide, Maha. 

As a tour group of all women, we were excited to learn from local women.

A Nonprofit Making Change

International outreach programs are working with local communities in India to make a change and create employment opportunities for women. 

One organization positively impacting the lives of women in Jaipur, India, is the Pink City Rickshaw Company.

This women-owned and operated nonprofit, created in partnership with ACCESS Development Services and HSBC Skills For Life, provides employment opportunities to over 200 women from low-income households. 

Our drivers were friendly and knowledgeable. Hearing their stories offered a unique perspective into local culture.

Our guided tour was a highlight from our time in India. We enjoyed seeing Jaipur and connecting with the female drivers.

The Pink City Rickshaw Company gives women the chance to earn income as rickshaw drivers. 

Initially, the idea of female rickshaw drivers was met with skepticism. Women driving rickshaws for transportation is not common. Male passengers are known to harass or assault the female drivers. 

The more tourists that support this nonprofit, the more women who can achieve financial security.

The Positive Impact Of Tourism

This is where the power of tourism can be so effective. Jaipur, known as the Pink City, thanks to its signature pink buildings, attracts millions of tourists every year. The Pink City Rickshaw Co. identified that these tourists could generate revenue for their organization. So instead of offering rickshaw rides as a form of transportation, The Pink City Rickshaw Co. offers guided tours through the old city of Jaipur in its signature hot pink rickshaws. 

In a male-dominated field, this innovative idea is breaking the boundaries of what is possible for women in India. The company offers driver training so women have no barrier to gaining employment. 

Some drivers are single women who work to support themselves independently of a man, while others increase their household income to provide more opportunities for their children. They are all passionate about sharing their beautiful city with foreigners. 

Next time you’re in the Pink City, ride in style and support a business changing women’s lives.