Going down their own road

WHAT do you call a whole bunch of women driving minibus taxis? Given that male taxi drivers are regarded almost universally with disdain, the answer might to that might be: A good start.

As we report today, there are many women trying to make a living to support their families in this maledominated industry.

It’s not easy. Taxi-driving is a go-go-go business: going slowly or stopping means losing income.

It means getting up long before the sun rises and working until long after it has gone down. It means driving the sort of distances most of us only undertake when we head to the coast for our annual holidays.

It means dealing with mechanical problems or with passengers refusing to pay... or having to fork out “lunch money” to corrupt traffic cops.

It also means facing the dangers that, sadly, many women have to face in this violent, sexist country of ours. It means being a target for comments, harassment and, in some cases, worse.

Many of the women are single, either because they are widowed or because their partner has walked out. And they carry the responsibility for ensuring their children are fed, clothed and educated.

So we are pleased to see that organised taxi associations are now starting to take the concept of women in their ranks more seriously.

Much as they say the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world, then the hand that holds the steering wheel can calm the world.

More women taxi drivers means less lawlessness, less aggression, we think. And safer roads.

Is that too much to hope for?