inDrive, a global mobility and urban services platform, strengthened its commitment to combatting gender-based violence (GBV) by participating in the GBV Forum hosted by the University of Johannesburg on March 31.
This initiative comes at a critical time as South Africa continues to tackle the alarming GBV statistics, particularly within the transportation sector.
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According to recent reports, in the second quarter of 2024, South Africa recorded 10 516 rapes and 881 murders of women. In addition, a study presented to the Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities in October 2024 showed that a minimum of 7m women in South Africa experienced physical violence, with more than 2m surviving sexual abuse. These figures highlight the urgent need for collaboration efforts to address GBV across all sectors, including ride-hailing services.
The GBV Forum convened key stakeholders, including government officials, advocacy groups, and industry leaders, to develop strategies aimed at enhancing safety within mobility services. inDrive highlighted its proactive measures to combat GBV through strategic partnerships, enhanced driver training programmes, and initiatives to increase the number of female drivers, creating a safer and more inclusive ride-hailing experience.
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“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,” said Ashif Black, business development specialist at inDrive.
In a bold move to challenge the status quo, they have committed to increasing the number of female drivers on its platform, providing more transport options and economic empowerment opportunities for women. This initiative aligns with the company’s broader mission to promote fairness and accessibility in the mobility sector.
Beyond the forum, inDrive is gearing up to launch additional safety initiatives in collaboration with government and community leaders to strengthen its impact.
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.
“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,” added Black.
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