Union Minister Maneka Gandhi asks Australia to consider project of e-rickshaw driven by women

Emphasising on the need to support new employable trade for women, Union Minister Maneka Gandhi today requested an Australian delegation to consider a project in Delhi on e-rickshaws driven by womenfolk.

The delegation led by Australian Ambassador for Women and Girls Natasha Stott Despoja along with Australian High Commissioner Patrick Suckling met the Union Minister of Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi and the two sides discussed areas of collaboration.

The delegation discussed with the minister the ways in which they can contribute towards "gender empowerment" in India.

Gandhi highlighted the need to set up centres of excellence in skill training which go beyond traditional courses like tailoring and embroidery. Since the members of the delegation have been working with women drivers, she also requested the delegation to "consider a project in Delhi on e-rickshaws driven by women", an official statement here said.

"New employable trades need to be taught to women and girls. Based on their rich experience, they could also train women vets to work in villages" she said.

The minister asked the Australian delegation to identify, through their best practices experience, skills which could give women an edge with respect to employment and income.

The delegation also highlighted the CSR work that the Australian companies are doing on pilot-basis in areas of training of drivers, in sports field, in fitness and wellness sector and in skill development.

The two sides also highlighted the training initiatives taken by them through their universities.