By Shreen Naman
Srinagar- Amidst the cacophony of honking horns and the frenetic hustle of the main road, Tabish Khan, 22 stood poised behind the wheel. She adjusted her grip on the steering wheel, a thrill coursing through her veins, as she embarked on her first on-road practice.
For Khan, enrolling in a driving school wasn’t just about mastering the mechanics of a vehicle; it symbolized a profound yearning for independence. “Driving is more than just a skill; it is liberation,” Khan said.
She had endured the chaos and discomfort of public transportation for long, yearning for a reprieve from the confines of crowded buses.
“I have to travel to university daily and driving is going to help me,” she said.
The sight of women confidently navigating the bustling streets of Kashmir from behind the wheel has become increasingly commonplace. Society today is increasingly progressive and inclusive, and the establishment of driving schools for women has not only facilitated their empowerment and independence but has also challenged the prevailing gender biases. With each passing generation, more and more women are seizing the opportunity to take control of their mobility and independence by learning to drive.
The story of women and driving in Kashmir extends beyond the realm of necessity. For Saima Jan, 38, a stay-at-home mother of two, learning to drive wasn’t about escaping public transport woes, but about embracing a passion. “Since childhood, I’ve been fascinated by cars,” she confessed.
Saima, while appreciating the practicality of being able to easily run errands, take her children to their activities, and handle day-to-day responsibilities, said, “Earlier, it was quite challenging with only my husband knowing how to drive. Despite having a car at home, we often faced difficulties and had to rely on others to ferry my family around. Now, I take charge and personally ferry my kids to school, enjoying the newfound freedom and convenience it brings.”
“The number of women opting to drive has steadily risen in recent years,” Maryam, Coordinator Maruti driving school, said.
“Our institute has seen almost a 50% increase in female learners since 2019.”
‘Every Move Judged’
Despite steadily reclaiming their space on the roads, women in Kashmir still face a complex web of challenges. “It seems as though our every move while driving is more heavily analyzed than those of their male counterparts. Harassment and traditional social mindsets contribute to a vicious cycle of women disliking to drive or driving less,” Saima said.
“I am a learner and drive at a slow speed to balance my moves, but I am always humiliated by male drivers on the road, they label me and judge me, which makes me very uncomfortable,” said Mehak, a student.
Dr Shazia Malik, Assistant Professor, Department of Gender Studies, University of Kashmir also expressed similar views. “The perception is that the street is a part of the public sphere that belongs to men, therefore, women need not own any part of it. The harassment of women drivers is an outcome of social expectations and traditional gender roles,” Shazia said.
Shazia believes that the public-private dichotomy dictates much of what women are allowed to do.
“Women are encouraged to work as teachers and professors because the job involves nurturing that is an extension of the gender roles women are assigned in the private spaces. But they are rarely encouraged to ride a bike and drive a car,” she added .
In Shazia’s opinion, if women make any mistake while driving it is because of her gender and she will be instantly questioned which will eventually lead to losing access to transport altogether. “This stereotype in society has made women less courageous to face any hurdle on the road, even when they are not at fault,” Shazia said.
While most men seem to degrade women drivers with sexist criticism on the road, some have contrary opinions that women tend to feel nervous because of the confirmed societal bias associated with them.
“All-Female Training”
Sustaining the fight against socially enforced roles for her gender, Iman Aslam has come forward with her all – girls driving institute called, steer we go.
“I have trained over 200 women at the institute. The number of enrolments keep increasing with each passing day,” said Iman, adding, “women in search of a friendly and a patient atmosphere, search for me which makes me feel proud and happy to be at a convenient service.” .
“In my experience, women are better drivers than men, and are able to pick up quickly.”
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