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Indian E-rickshaw driver receives Amal Clooney Women’s Empowerment Award
19-year-old Arti received the award that recognizes her resilience and determination to improve her life and her daughter’s future
Arti is a participant of Project Lehar / Image- the.akdn.in
An e-rickshaw driver from Uttar Pradesh, India, has been awarded the Amal Clooney Women’s Empowerment Award at The Prince’s Trust Awards in London.
Daughter of daily-wage workers, 19-year-old Arti received the award that recognizes her resilience and determination to improve her life and her daughter’s future, during a ceremony that was followed by a meeting with King Charles III.
The Prince’s Trust Awards, established by King Charles III, honor young people worldwide who have participated in Prince’s Trust programmes. The King's Trust International, formerly known as Prince’s Trust International, supports youth in 20 countries through employment, education, and enterprise initiatives.
Arti receiving award / Image- Image- the.akdn.inArti was married at 13 and soon returned home with her baby daughter after the marriage ended. Initially working as a domestic worker, she joined Project Lehar, a collaboration between the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) and The King's Trust International. The project provides vocational training, entrepreneurship, and life skills courses to girls and young women from low-income backgrounds.
"The programme helped me develop my skills, especially those that impact my life, such as problem-solving ability, communication skills, managing stress and emotions, and understanding entrepreneurship," Arti said. "Through the learning I had over that period, I became capable of making important decisions for my life."
In July 2023, Project Lehar introduced Arti to the Indian government’s pink e-rickshaw scheme, which aims to increase employment for vulnerable women and improve their access to safe transport. Arti was one of the first women in her region to train and pass her driving test. She now drives for six hours a day, earning INR 15,000 per month (around $180). "My daughter will be proud of me when she grows up," Arti said.
Reflecting on her award, Arti stated, "I have discovered a new sense of independence – a life where I can rely on myself. I take pride in being able to inspire other girls who face similar challenges."
Tinni Sawhney, CEO of AKF India, who accompanied Arti, said, "Arti truly embodies the courage, perseverance, and determination to succeed against all odds, emerging as a role model for women in her village. Here’s to many more Artis – believe in yourself, and never let anything dim the light of your ambitions."
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