Women of strength: Driving a rickshaw on the streets of Sadiqabad
With the entire household dependent on her following her husbands death, Rubina took on the role of the breadwinner by driving a rickshaw. Photo: Dunya News
(Dunya News) – The death of her husband two years ago changed the life of Rubina Bibi. From having to look after her house and her children to worrying about making ends meet, the transformation Rubina Bibi’s life took required her to be strong – and strong she became.
With the entire household dependent on Rubina, a resident of Sadiqabad’s Abid Colony, following her husband’s death, she took on the role of the breadwinner by driving a rickshaw to ensure the financial independence of her family and the completion of education of her young children.
Rubina took on the role of the breadwinner by driving a rickshaw to ensure financial independence of her family. Photo: Dunya News
While her means of securing an income raised many eyebrows, Rubina remained resilient. “Initially people made an issue out of this, but I didn’t bother myself with it. I did not lose hope,” she says.
Every morning Rubina drops her children as well as those of her neighbourhood to school on her rickshaw. “Some children in the neighbourhood have also hired my rickshaw for a ride to school. This is my source of income.”
Every morning Rubina drops her children as well as those of her neighbourhood to school on her rickshaw. Photo: Dunya News
During the rest of the day, she goes around bazaars looking for rides on her rickshaw.
Women like Rubina are not just an inspiration for a society that is yet to come to terms with women earning their own livelihoods through unconventional means, but also need support and encouragement.
For more on this, watch a report by Dunya News below.
