Uber has launched the “Women Drivers” option in Saudi Arabia – a new feature that allows female riders to pair exclusively with female drivers.
Following its introduction in other countries, including Egypt, Jordan, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and several European countries, the unique feature has come to Saudi Arabia for safer rides and more inclusive experience.
Announced during Uber’s “By Women, For Women” special event in Riyadh, the launch of the new feature coincided with the 7th anniversary of lifting drive ban for women in Saudi Arabia.
Women Drivers Option
The “Women Drivers” feature is part of a broader effort to increase Saudi women’s participation in the work force, particularly the mobility sector.
Moreover, the women-only taxis feature underscores Uber’s commitment to creating a safer and more inclusive environment for women, in line with the objectives of the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030.
Women Empowerment
On this occasion, Uber’s General Manager in Saudi Arabia, Youssef Abouseif, said: “The launch of the ‘Women Drivers’ product reflects our commitment to empowering women and supporting their mobility and economic independence. We’re giving women more choice, more opportunity, and a strong sense of community.”
The Kingdom has made major milestones toward empowering women and increasing their participation in the workforce, as part of its transformative Vision 2030. In the light of this, Saudi Arabia lifted the ban on women driving 7 years ago.
The new feature will be gradually rolled out to Uber users across the Kingdom, allowing female drivers to accept exclusively female riders.
Supportive Initiatives
Additionally, Uber has announced ambitious programs to support obtaining licenses, as well as savings on vehicle access, offering more than 20 million subsidized rides for women.
The platform has also launched communities for women drivers, where they can connect, receive top tips, and share their experiences. The #Gigsister initiative aims to empower women drivers and help them grow.
Furthermore, the platform is partnering with Alnahda Society, a non-profit that supports women’s empowerment, to promote women’s financial literacy and economic independence in Saudi Arabia.
Safer Rides
As part of its safety measures, Uber has developed in-app emergency assistance, 24/7 incident support, as well as ‘Follow My Ride’ for a safer riding experience.
In the light of this, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority, Fahd Hamidaddin, said: “One thing we’re not doing well is talking about safety for women. We’re going to tell the world how safe Saudi Arabia is for our mothers, sisters and daughters, our female travelers.”
