By Sitha Maliwa
inDrive, a global mobility and urban services platform, has reinforced its dedication to combating gender-based violence (GBV) by actively participating in the GBV Forum hosted by the University of Johannesburg. This move underscores the company’s ongoing commitment to addressing the critical issue of GBV, especially within the transportation sector, where women have long been vulnerable to violence and harassment.
The urgency of this issue is clear, with recent statistics from South Africa painting a stark picture. In the second quarter of 2024 alone, South Africa recorded 10,516 rapes and 881 murders of women. A study presented to the Minister of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities in October 2024 revealed that a minimum of 7 million women in the country had experienced physical violence, with more than 2 million surviving sexual abuse. These numbers emphasize the need for collective action to address GBV across all sectors, including ride-hailing services, which have become a key part of daily mobility in the country.
The GBV Forum served as an important gathering of key stakeholders, including government officials, advocacy groups, and industry leaders, who came together to develop strategies for improving safety within mobility services. inDrive played a pivotal role at the forum, sharing its proactive measures aimed at reducing GBV and ensuring a safer environment for passengers and drivers alike.
“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.
One of the company’s boldest commitments is to increase the number of female drivers on its platform. This initiative not only aims to provide safer transport options but also fosters economic empowerment for women. By creating more opportunities for women to become drivers, inDrive seeks to challenge the status quo and promote greater inclusivity within the ride-hailing industry. This move aligns with the company’s broader mission to promote fairness and accessibility in the mobility sector.
The Easter holidays, typically a time of increased travel, often see a rise in GBV incidents, making it even more critical for inDrive to continue advocating for safety during this period. The company is also working on launching additional safety initiatives in collaboration with government and community leaders. These initiatives are aimed at strengthening the overall impact of inDrive’s efforts in making transportation safer for everyone, especially women.
Beyond the forum, inDrive is determined to continue collaborating with other stakeholders in the mobility sector. The company urges its peers in the ride-hailing industry, policymakers, and advocacy groups to join forces in addressing GBV. By sharing best practices and engaging in meaningful policy discussions, the industry can work together towards creating safer transportation solutions that prioritize the well-being of all users, particularly women.
“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. – @NewsSA_Online