Sierra Leonean women drive rickshaws to earn living

Women in Freetown, Sierra Leone, are increasingly driving auto-rickshaws to earn an income and support their families [1, 2].

This shift represents a critical survival strategy in a region where limited transport options and economic instability force women to seek unconventional employment. By entering a traditionally male-dominated field, these women are pursuing financial independence while filling a gap in the city's transit infrastructure [1, 3].

Hawa Mansaray is among the women operating these vehicles in the capital [1, 2]. For drivers like Mansaray, the transition to rickshaw operation is a response to the necessity of survival amid difficult economic conditions [1, 2]. The move allows these women to provide for their households in a direct manner that other available labor markets may not offer [1, 3].

The rise of female drivers in the sector is not only an economic necessity but also a social shift. These women are challenging long-standing gender norms by taking over roles previously reserved for men ^[3]. The ability to operate a vehicle and manage a small business on the street provides a level of autonomy and empowerment that is rare in the local labor market ^[3].

Freetown's streets now see a growing number of women navigating the city's traffic to transport passengers [2, 3]. This trend highlights the resilience of Sierra Leonean women as they adapt to economic pressures by diversifying their skills and entering the transport sector [1, 2].