Women Earn Professional Driver Certification Through BRAC

Women Earn Professional Driver Certification Through BRAC
Experts Highlight Need for Skills Development and Greater Acceptance of Women Drivers

Despite growing demand, Bangladesh continues to face a shortage of trained women drivers. While many women are interested in driving, the number of licensed women drivers remains relatively low, and the number of professional women drivers is negligible. Establishing women as professional drivers can create opportunities for greater mobility, income generation, and financial independence. To achieve this, high-quality training and a shift in societal attitudes are essential.

Stakeholders from the transport sector shared these observations at an event held today, 23 June 2026, at BRAC Centre in Mohakhali, Dhaka.

The event, titled Women Behind the Wheel: Celebrating Achievement, Advancing Road Safety and Inclusive Transport, was organised by BRAC’s Road Safety Programme to mark the completion of professional driver training and the certification of women drivers.

The chief guest at the event was Habibur Rashid, State Minister for the Ministry of Railways and the Road Transport and Highways Division. Anna Minj, Member of Parliament, and Mohammad Habibur Rahman, Chairman of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), were present as special guests. The event was chaired by Tamara Hasan Abed, Managing Director of BRAC Enterprises.

A presentation on the women driver training initiative was delivered by Ahmed Najmul Hussain, Director of BRAC’s Road Safety Programme. The closing remarks and vote of thanks were delivered by M Khalid Mahmood, Project Manager of BRAC’s Road Safety Programme.

At the event, certificates were formally awarded to ten women who successfully completed training at BRAC Driving School and are now prepared to begin their careers as professional drivers. These women underwent an intensive three-month residential training programme which provided both theoretical and practical driving instruction with modern technological facilities. In addition, participants received training in English communication skills and awareness sessions on gender and safeguarding. So far, BRAC Driving School (BDS) has trained 159 women as professional drivers, equipping them with driving, life, and employability skills.

In his address as chief guest, Habibur Rashid said that women’s participation in the transport sector had remained limited for many years due to social barriers and prevailing stereotypes. He noted that the current government has undertaken a range of initiatives, including technology-driven traffic management, speed control measures, the development of safer road infrastructure, and the modernisation 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.

Habibur Rashid further stated that BRAC’s Road Safety Programme is advancing employment opportunities for women through driver training, motorcycle riding training, research, and advocacy. He particularly commended the programme’s contribution to improving the safety of women in public transport and public spaces. Addressing the newly certified drivers, he said that they had become powerful examples of women’s capabilities in society. The State Minister also paid tribute to BRAC Founder Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, noting that the institution he established continues to work alongside the government and contribute to the country’s progress and prosperity.

Speaking as a special guest, Member of Parliament Anna Minj described the initiative as a unique example of women’s empowerment. However, she highlighted two key challenges facing women drivers. First, society is still not fully prepared to accept women driving buses and other forms of public transport, which continues to limit employment opportunities in the profession. Second, adequate facilities for women, including toilets and other essential amenities in public spaces, remain insufficient. Nevertheless, she expressed hope that the women trained by BRAC would play an important role in the government’s planned women-focused public transport services.

In his remarks, BRTA Chairman Mohammad Habibur Rahman said that the authority remains committed to creating a more supportive environment for women passengers and women drivers in public transport. He assured that qualified women drivers would receive appropriate support and services to facilitate the licensing process. Efforts are also underway to make the licensing system more women-friendly while maintaining standards of safety and competence.

In her address as chair, Tamara Hasan Abed said that the event reflected a collective commitment to women’s empowerment, safety, and inclusive transport systems. She noted that BRAC has long been working 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 a culture of safe road use, BRAC’s Road Safety Programme continues to make a significant contribution to road safety in Bangladesh.

Tamara Hasan Abed further stated that the focus should now be on creating more employment opportunities for these skilled women drivers, both within Bangladesh and internationally. Demand for qualified women drivers is increasing globally. She suggested that, alongside driving instruction, women drivers could also receive basic nursing and caregiving skills training. Such additional skills would help them respond to the diverse demands of international labour markets and improve their access to higher-quality employment opportunities abroad.

Ahmed Najmul Hussain highlighted the various activities of BRAC’s Road Safety Programme, noting that BRAC Founder Sir Fazle Hasan Abed attached particular importance to road safety and initiated the programme. Its activities continue in line with that vision. He explained that the women drivers received three months of intensive training and subsequently completed a further three months of apprenticeship training as trainee professional drivers under senior drivers through BRAC’s Transport Department.

BRAC’s Road Safety Programme has been operating since 2001. One of its principal objectives is to improve the safety of road users. A key component of the programme is raising awareness at the community level and providing training on safe road use. The programme also plays an active role in preventing violence against women and sexual harassment in public transportation. To this end, it conducts awareness-raising initiatives, strengthens the capacity of transport sector personnel, and delivers training to leaders of transport associations as well as members of relevant government and non-government organisations.Since its establishment in 2012, BRAC Driving School has provided defensive driving training to more than 13,500 participants and general driving training to more than 12,500 participants. In addition, 409 individuals have been trained as driving instructors.