Despite growing demand, Bangladesh continues to face a shortage of trained women drivers, with the number of licensed female drivers remaining relatively low and professional women drivers still rare. Expanding women’s participation in the profession could enhance mobility, create employment opportunities, and promote financial independence, stakeholders said on Tuesday.
The observations were made at an event titled “Women Behind the Wheel: Celebrating Achievement, Advancing Road Safety and Inclusive Transport”, organized by BRAC’s Road Safety Programme at BRAC Centre in Mohakhali, Dhaka, to mark the completion of professional driver training and certification of women drivers.
State Minister for Railways and the Road Transport and Highways Division Habibur Rashid attended the event as chief guest. Special guests included Anna Minj, Member of Parliament, and Chairman of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) Mohammad Habibur Rahman with Tamara Hasan Abed, managing director of BRAC Enterprises, in the chair.
During the event, certificates were awarded to 10 women who successfully completed training at BRAC Driving School and are now ready to begin their careers as professional drivers.
The graduates completed an intensive three-month residential training programme that combined theoretical and practical driving instruction using modern technological facilities.
According to BRAC, its Driving School has so far trained 159 women as professional drivers, equipping them with driving, life, and employability skills.
Addressing the event, State Minister Habibur Rashid said women’s participation in the transport sector had long been constrained by social barriers and stereotypes.
He said the government has undertaken various initiatives, including technology-based traffic management, speed-control measures, safer road infrastructure development, and modernization of public transport systems. Alongside these efforts, new employment opportunities for women are being created through women-only bus services, professional driver training programmes, and initiatives to facilitate licensing.
He also paid tribute to BRAC founder Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, noting that the institution continues to work alongside the government in advancing national development.
Speaking as a special guest, MP Anna Minj described the initiative as a notable example of women’s empowerment but pointed to two major challenges facing women drivers.
First, she said, society has yet to fully accept women as drivers of buses and other public transport vehicles, limiting employment opportunities. Second, adequate facilities for women, including toilets and other essential amenities in public spaces, remain insufficient.
Despite these challenges, she expressed optimism that BRAC-trained women drivers would contribute significantly to the government’s planned women-focused public transport services.
BRTA Chairman Mohammad Habibur Rahman said the authority remains committed to creating a more supportive environment for women passengers and drivers. He assured that qualified women drivers would receive necessary assistance in obtaining licences and that efforts are underway to make the licensing system more women-friendly.
In her remarks as chair, Tamara Hasan Abed said the event reflected a shared commitment to women’s empowerment, safety, and inclusive transport.
She noted that BRAC has long worked to improve people’s quality of life and build a just and inclusive society by ensuring equal opportunities for all. Through the development of skilled and responsible drivers and the promotion of safe road-use practices, BRAC’s Road Safety Programme continues to make a meaningful contribution to road safety in Bangladesh, she added.
Ahmed Najmul Hussain, Director of BRAC’s Road Safety Programme, said BRAC founder Sir Fazle Hasan Abed placed particular importance on road safety, leading to the establishment of the programme, which continues to operate in line with that vision.
Since its establishment in 2012, BRAC Driving School has provided defensive driving training to more than 13,500 participants and general driving training to over 12,500 individuals. It has also trained 409 driving instructors.
