Women are being encouraged to build their knowledge and confidence behind the wheel, as Asco Motors Fiji looks to expand its Women in Mobility programme.

The initiative is focused on giving women practical knowledge on road safety, basic vehicle maintenance, emergency preparedness and new vehicle technologies.

Asco Motors CEO Ronald Kumar says mobility plays an important role in empowering women, particularly as more women enter traditionally male-dominated areas of the automotive industry.

“Empowerment is freedom,” Kumar says.

He says Asco Motors has seen an increase in women joining its workforce through apprenticeship programmes, including women taking up senior technical roles.

Kumar says the programme is also about helping women feel more confident when dealing with situations such as a vehicle breakdown.

“Knowledge will create ability to manage,” he says.

While the programme is targeted at women, Kumar says the wider goal is to promote road safety across Fiji.

He says the first session in Suva was quickly filled, with organisers receiving more requests than the available spaces.

The session brought together more than 15 women, with plans to hold more interactive sessions and expand the programme to other parts of Fiji.

Kumar says the initiative is not focused on selling vehicles, but on education, empowerment and safety.

He says Asco Motors also hopes to learn from women about the challenges they face on the roads and with changing vehicle technology.

The company says more sessions will be held as it looks to broaden participation beyond its existing customers and reach women across Fiji.