Eleven determined women have completed BRAC Driving School’s intensive training and received certificates, along with their licences from the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA). With newfound skills and confidence, they are ready to embark on careers as professional drivers.

Graduation Ceremony at BRTA Headquarters
A ceremony on Tuesday, 29 April 2025, at the BRTA headquarters marked the occasion. Mohammed Yasin, Chairman of BRTA, joined as Chief Guest, and Ahmed Najmul Hussain, Director of BRAC’s Road Safety Programme, presided over the event. Both leaders praised the graduates’ dedication and highlighted the broader impact of women joining the transport sector.

Three-Month Residential Training
At BRAC Driving School, the women underwent:

·       Residential instruction spanning three months

·       Theoretical and hands-on driving lessons using modern facilities

·       English language classes

·       Awareness sessions on gender issues and personal safety

Each trainee logged nearly 100 hours of practical driving—covering over 1,200 km—and then completed a three-month apprenticeship under senior drivers at BRAC’s Transport Department.

Institutional Commitments for Inclusion
In his speech, BRTA Chairman Mohammed Yasin announced that BRTA will feature the new drivers’ profiles and contact details on its official website to boost their employment prospects. He also pledged to install women-friendly facilities—such as hygienic washrooms—at major bus terminals and along highways.

Support from Industry Leaders
Md. Saiful Alam, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association, and Abdur Rahim Dudu, President of the Road Transport Workers Federation, joined the celebration. They commended BRAC’s initiative and expressed readiness to collaborate in creating more opportunities for female drivers.

Role of BRAC Road Safety Programme
Since 2001, BRAC’s Road Safety Programme has:

·       Trained 1.362 million general road users

·       Taught 525,000 students and 5,600 teachers safe-road practices

·       Raised awareness to prevent gender-based violence and harassment in public transport

·       Advocated for stronger road-safety legislation

BRAC Driving School by the Numbers
Established in 2012, the school has so far:

·       Trained 12,329 commercial drivers

·       Provided basic driving instruction to 10,621 individuals

·       Produced 3,462 trained women drivers

·       Offered motorcycle training to 2,802 people

·       Developed 384 driving trainers and instructors

With this latest cohort of women drivers, BRAC Driving School continues to strengthen road safety and foster gender inclusion in Bangladesh’s transport sector.