London, UK, 24 May 2024 – Arti, a pioneering e-rickshaw driver from Uttar Pradesh, India, and a participant of the Aga Khan Foundation’s (AKF) Project Lehar, received the Amal Clooney Women’s Empowerment Award at The Prince’s Trust Awards in London this week. Her journey exemplifies courage, resilience and an unwavering determination to succeed against all odds.

The Awards celebrate extraordinary young people who have participated in Prince’s Trust programmes around the world. Founded by His Majesty King Charles III, The King's Trust International, formerly Prince’s Trust International, supports young people across 20 countries through employment, education and enterprise programmes.

Born into a family of daily wage labourers who struggled to make ends meet, Arti was married by the time she was 13 and had to leave school. The marriage didn’t last, and she soon returned home with her baby daughter.

With few earning options in and around her village, especially for a single mother, Arti focused mainly on domestic work at home. Then she discovered Project Lehar – a partnership between AKF and The King's Trust International – and began to believe that a better future for herself and her daughter was possible. With quiet determination, she set about making it happen.

Project Lehar offers vocational training, entrepreneurship and life skills courses for girls and young women from low-income backgrounds in Uttar Pradesh and the neighbouring state of Bihar. It also supports girls who have left school early to complete their education.

For Arti, Project Lehar enabled her to see, and then believe, that working for herself could be an option. “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,” she recalls. “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. The initiative serves the dual purpose of increasing employment opportunities for vulnerable women – especially widows and single mothers like Arti – while also improving women’s access to safe transport, thereby increasing their mobility and independence.

Driving is traditionally a male profession in Arti’s community, where girls and women have far fewer opportunities and far less freedom than boys and men. Arti was amongst the first women to sign up as a trainee in her region, and after passing her driving test, soon got out on the road. She now drives for six hours a day, earning INR 15,000 per month (around $180) to provide for herself and her daughter. “My daughter will be proud of me when she grows up,” Arti says.

The Amal Clooney Women’s Empowerment Award, which Arti received this week in London, recognises the work of young women around the world who have succeeded against the odds and made a lasting difference to those around them.

Upon receiving the award, Arti reflects, “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. This newfound independence has allowed me to see the world in a different light. Now, I am able to fulfil not only my dreams but also those of my daughter."

Throughout this week, Arti has enjoyed celebrating her win in London. From speaking on stage at the Awards ceremony to cruising into the Buckingham Palace courtyard on a pink rickshaw and meeting His Majesty King Charles III, she has embraced every opportunity with courage and grace.

Arti also visited the Aga Khan Centre in King’s Cross. With Project Lehar being one of AKF’s longest standing programmes, it was a special opportunity for the AKF UK team to meet one of the young women who have found success through it.

Tinni Sawhney, CEO of AKF India, who joined Arti on her visit to London, expressed her delight at Arti’s success, saying, “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.”

Meet Arti and hear her story in her own words:

Learn more about Project Lehar