Women rickshaw drivers defy norms in Nigeria's conservative Kano
In the city of Kano, Nigeria, a cooperative initiative called Mata Zalla is promoting women's employment by facilitating their entry into the rickshaw taxi industry. This initiative is significant due to the region's traditionally conservative…
In the city of Kano, Nigeria, a cooperative initiative called Mata Zalla is promoting women's employment by facilitating their entry into the rickshaw taxi industry. This initiative is significant due to the region's traditionally conservative environment, where such a profession was previously dominated by men.
The Mata Zalla cooperative enables women to become rickshaw taxi drivers, providing a new avenue for financial stability. Among the drivers is Umma Hani Yusuf Khalid, who transitioned from selling footwear to driving an electric rickshaw. This change has allowed her to achieve a higher income, enabling her to rebuild her home and support her family.
Mata Zalla, meaning "exclusively women" in Hausa, has partnered with an electric rickshaw assembly plant in Lagos to supply the vehicles. The cooperative has established a system where a portion of the drivers' daily wages is deducted over three years, eventually allowing them to own their rickshaw.
The cooperative currently operates 100 electric rickshaws, with plans to expand due to high demand. To support operations, two solar-powered charging stations have been established, allowing drivers to swap and monitor their rickshaw batteries efficiently.
In the city of Kano, Nigeria, a cooperative initiative called Mata Zalla is promoting women's employment by facilitating their entry into the rickshaw taxi industry.
Despite the progress, challenges persist, including harassment from other road users. To mitigate these issues, Mata Zalla restricts its rickshaw services to women passengers only, providing a safer environment for both drivers and passengers.
The initiative also addresses societal norms, as Islamic Sharia law in the region discourages the mixing of men and women in taxis. By restricting passengers to women, Mata Zalla aligns with cultural expectations while empowering female drivers.
With a significant demand for transportation in Kano, the cooperative plans to expand its fleet, having already received requests from 200 women on a waiting list. The success of the Mata Zalla initiative demonstrates the potential for further growth in providing safe, women-led transportation solutions in the region.
Based on reporting by Africanews.
