- InDrive has confirmed its commitment to increasing the number of female drivers on its platform.
- The announcement came during an event at the University of Johannesburg focused on addressing gender based violence (GBV).
- No precise number or timeframe has been outlined for the increase.
March was International Women’s Month, and before it came to an end, InDrive took part in an event to combat gender based violence (GBV) called the GBV Forum, hosted by the University of Johannesburg UJ).
During its participation at the event, the ridesharing platform confirmed that it is committed to increasing the number of female drivers it signs up. This in a move to promote greater safety on the platform and enhance the access to mobility services for South African women.
Citing the second quarter crime statistics for South Africa in 2024, InDrive noted that the country recorded a highly concerning 10 516 rapes and 881 murders of women. In addition, the figures showed that a minimum of 7 million women in South Africa experienced physical violence during the period, with more than 2 million surviving sexual abuse.
“As a people-driven platform, safety is at the core of everything we do. The GBV Forum is an important step in ensuring that mobility services protect both passengers and drivers, particularly women. With the Easter holidays approaching—a period that often sees an increase in GBV incidents—it is crucial to reinforce safety measures and strengthen community engagement,” emphasised Ashif Black, business development specialist at inDrive.
Unpacking its commitment to increasing the number of female drivers on its platform, InDrive said it is working to provide more transport options and economic empowerment opportunities for women. This is also noted to align with the company’s broader mission to, “promote fairness and accessibility in the mobility sector.”
Beyond the GBV Forum, inDrive is gearing up to launch additional safety initiatives in collaboration with government and community leaders to strengthen its impact, although precisely when these will be formally announced has not been shared, with the company only stating that more details will be revealed in the coming months.
“inDrive urges fellow ride-hailing platforms, policymakers, and advocacy groups to collaborate in addressing GBV in the mobility sector. By sharing best practices and driving policy discussions, the industry can work towards creating safer transportation solutions for all,” it has also called for.
“Safety is a shared responsibility. We invite our industry peers, government representatives, and the broader community to join us in ensuring that ride-hailing services are not just convenient but also secure for everyone, particularly women,” concluded Black.
[Images – Provided]
