<
https://writetoupbeat.substack.com/p/freedom-in-cooperation-chennais-women>
"A. Mohanasundari, 39, confidently navigates the congested streets close to
Ayanavaram, in Chennai. The feeling of freedom, from being able to work on her
own terms, adds a lightness to her being.
“The first day I took my vehicle to the auto stand, the men told me to leave,
telling me that this wasn’t a woman’s job. Every morning now that I turn on the
meter, I remember the rejection and it never fails to strengthen my resolve to
work harder, “she says.
For over 15 years, Mohana has struggled to establish herself as an
entrepreneur, first as a beautician and later as the owner of a fast-food
stand. When the pandemic hit, she shifted gears and took up driving.
But a persistent gender bias in Chennai’s transportation system subjects women
drivers to routine harassment. This was wreaking havoc for Mohana and for many
other women auto drivers like her.
In April 2024, Mohanasundari and 45 women auto drivers, many of whom were
single mothers, founded the Veera Pengal Munnetra Sangam (VPMS), translated as
“association for the progress of heroic women,” to create a strong space for
themselves, in Chennai. Mohana assumed the role of the president of VPMS.
Soon, other women gig workers in the transport and food industry started
joining in. “Most of us are single parents with daughters. Driving allows us to
safely pick and drop our school-going children on time without relying on
public transport,” Mohana explained."
Via
Reasons to be Cheerful:
<
https://reasonstobecheerful.world/what-were-reading-unstoppable-development-of-european-subway/>
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
