Formula 4 racer Mira Erda on Friday took on stereotypes about women drivers, saying the notion that women are bad at driving is completely unfounded.
She was speaking at a panel discussion titled ‘Catalysing Women in the Workforce’, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) at the Ahmedabad Management Association. Responding to a question from moderator Zarna Udasi on women’s participation in motorsports, Erda said that while women’s involvement has grown, misconceptions still persist.
“Women participation has increased, but the belief that women are bad drivers is absolutely wrong. If women can handle men, they can definitely handle the wheel,” she said, drawing applause from the audience.
Sharing her journey, Erda said she plays multiple roles as a racer, manager, trainer, mechanic and content creator, and actively works to motivate young girls to explore motorsports. Stressing the importance of self-belief and consistency, she urged women to continuously upgrade their skills and strive for excellence.
“Be your biggest believer. Once you move forward, don’t step back. Stay consistent and don’t give up,” she said.
Addressing concerns about parents allowing their daughters to take up motorsports, Erda acknowledged safety worries but said karting demands discipline and focus, and is not dangerous if pursued responsibly. She encouraged aspiring racers to follow their passion even in the absence of parental support.
On scholarships and sponsorships, Erda noted that motorsports is an expensive field due to high costs of vehicles and track maintenance, with limited sponsorship opportunities. However, she added that top-performing drivers receive discounts and described the racing community as largely supportive.
Another panellist, Mona Khandhar, IAS, spoke about women’s participation in public service, saying representation has improved significantly, reaching nearly 50 per cent in some sectors. She emphasised the need for more women in leadership roles and said deeper transformation is still required across industries.
Khandhar also highlighted the continuing issue of gender imbalance, pointing out that despite progress, states like Gujarat and Haryana still show a preference for male children. “For every 1,000 boys, there are only about 850 to 925 girls,” she said, stressing the need for societal change.
The event’s special guest, Kiran Bedi, interacted with the audience digitally after missing her flight. Speaking on women empowerment, she underlined the importance of raising girls and boys equally and encouraging women to become self-reliant.
“Equal access to education and opportunities is crucial. Women’s leadership depends largely on upbringing and values. A woman’s vision should be self-reliance,” Bedi said.
The panel discussion focused on challenges, opportunities and systemic changes required to strengthen women’s participation across sectors such as sports, governance and industry.