App-based women-only transport services have attracted attention over the years by shifting the debate from women as consumers to women as transport workers.
While some of these companies have struggled financially, been suspended for being perceived as discriminatory, or run up against the limited supply of female drivers, women-only platforms still offer valuable insights.
This phenomenon is embedded in a broader context in which the gig economy has emerged as a transformative force in the global labour market, providing flexible and diverse opportunities for women to participate in economic activities. This sector, characterised by freelance, temporary and project-based work, enables women to overcome traditional barriers such as rigid working hours, caring responsibilities and discrimination in the workplace. Platforms such as Uber and Upwork have opened doors for women to monetise skills ranging from driving and design to crafts and consulting.
Women in the gig economy often choose this industry for its flexibility, allowing them to set their own schedules and balance work with personal responsibilities. This adaptability is particularly beneficial for women who face constraints in traditional employment due to household and care duties. Additionally, the opportunity to earn an income away from the confines of an office environment appeals to many.
| Find out more about women in gig work: What is it like to be a woman and a freelancer on digital platforms? |
Why do women prefer the gig economy to the traditional labour market?
Female workers are more likely to engage in online gig work as a way to earn extra income due to lack of alternative job opportunities, while male gig workers are more interested in gig work as it allows them to "be their own boss" and to acquire new digital skills. Both genders value flexibility in terms of location and time.
However, female workers are more attracted to the monetary benefits of online gig work, while male workers are more interested in the non-monetary dimensions.
It is worth noting that online gig work not only provides an opportunity to earn extra income but also plays a crucial role in equipping workers with relevant skills.
In the transport sector, entering the gig economy is a way of challenging societal norms and participating in a field where women have historically been underrepresented. In addition, the presence of female drivers can improve female passengers' perceptions of safety, thereby promoting a more inclusive and safe transport environment.
What are the main challenges faced by women in the gig economy in the transport sector?
Challenges persist, including income insecurity, lack of benefits, and systemic biases.
- These women gig workers have major safety concerns as female drivers may encounter harassment or feel vulnerable when driving late at night or in isolated areas.
- There’s also a lack of infrastructure designed to support women, such as adequate restrooms or secure waiting spaces.
- Additionally, societal stereotypes and biases can discourage women from joining the field, as driving professions are often perceived as male-dominated, and male family members may discourage them from working.
- Balancing long and irregular hours with family responsibilities further compounds the difficulties, making it harder for women to thrive in such roles.
Why do women choose app-based women-only transport services?
Women gig workers in the transport sector often gravitate towards women-only platforms due to safety, comfort, and societal norms.
- Safety is a primary concern, as women frequently report experiencing harassment or unsafe situations while working in mixed-gender environments. Women-only platforms help mitigate these risks by creating a secure and trusted space for both workers and passengers. Studies have highlighted that safety concerns are a key barrier for women entering or staying in gig work; for instance, research by the International Labour Organization (ILO) has noted the importance of gender-sensitive policies in enhancing women's participation in the gig economy.
- Additionally, cultural and social expectations in many regions discourage women from engaging in male-dominated professions, making these platforms more socially acceptable.
- Beyond safety, women-only platforms foster a sense of solidarity and empowerment, enabling women to work confidently and thrive in the gig economy.
Case studies
Our research focused on 37 companies or women-focused programmes in the transport sector that have been established since 2014 around the world, from Mexico to Sri Lanka.
When promoting their business model, these platforms mainly claim to offer:
1. Safety (The platform is explicitly committed to providing a safe working environment)
2. and Inclusivity (The platform is explicitly committed to providing additional employment opportunities for women)
But other benefits are also claimed, including:
3. Community empowerment (The platform is explicitly committed to building a community of female drivers)
4. Fair rates (The platform explicitly commits to ensuring transparency in pricing and revenue determination)
5. Affordability (The platform explicitly commits to providing more affordable services for both drivers and passengers)
6. Inclusion of other minorities (The platform explicitly commits to creating a safe workplace for minorities, e.g. non-binary people)
7. No algorithmic penalty for women cancelling or rejecting male passengers (The platform explicitly commits to not algorithmically penalising female drivers for cancelling or rejecting male passengers).
However, the flip side of the coin highlights the volatility of many of these platforms: of the 37 companies and programmes we looked at, only 30 are still in business, with a functioning website or app.
One will be launched at the end of the year, and seven of them have closed down for various reasons:
- Unsustainable profit model (LilyRide, Bangladesh; HerRyde, Nigeria)
- Compliance or legal issues (Chariot for Women - Safr, USA; Pinker, Portugal)
- Lack of female drivers (OBon, Bangladesh)
- Data breach (DriveHER, Canada)
For a group of other platforms (Sara LT App in Argentina and Colombia, PinkCab in Trinidad and Tobago, and Leena Cab in Saudi Arabia), we couldn't find any recent information on their actual activity.
Geographical coverage
Geographically, they span multiple regions, including Malaysia, India, and South Africa, reflecting a global trend toward supporting women in the gig economy.
Among the featured platforms is Riding Pink, a Malaysian initiative established in 2016 that
has grown significantly by capitalizing on the increasing popularity of e-hailing services.
Similarly, in India, platforms such as She Scooty, Fery Women Scooty Taxi, and Dovely
have emerged more recently, between 2021 and 2022, to meet the specific needs of women
riders and drivers.
South Africa’s ChaufHer, founded in 2017, provides another compelling example, offering safe and reliable ride-hailing services exclusively for women.
Business Models
The business models adopted by these platforms are diverse. Some prioritize sustainability, such as Fery Women Scooty Taxi, which operates with an all-electric fleet, emphasizing environmental consciousness.
Others, like Riding Pink, employ profit-sharing approaches where drivers retain 80% of the fare, ensuring financial benefits for gig workers.
Platforms like She Scooty offer a more structured employee support system, providing competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits.
Success Index
In terms of success, the results are varied. Established platforms like Riding Pink have proven successful, leveraging their early entry into the e-hailing market and addressing a critical safety gap for women.
Newer ventures such as Dovely and Fery Women Scooty Taxi show promise, tapping into the rapid growth of India’s bike taxi market, which was valued at $50.5 million in recent year.
However, their long-term viability remains to be seen as they scale operations and adapt to evolving market conditions.
A critical component of these platforms is the benefit provided to their employees, particularly women drivers. For instance, Riding Pink ensures its drivers earn a significant share of the fare revenue, empowering them financially. Similarly, She Scooty promotes a balanced approach by offering attractive pay and additional perks to its workforce.
By catering specifically to women, these platforms address critical societal challenges, such as safety, financial independence, and accessibility. While some platforms have already demonstrated success, others are still in their nascent stages or have been forced to shut down.
Challenges
While female-focused ride-hailing platforms aim to improve safety and inclusivity, female drivers still face significant challenges.
- Safety concerns are paramount; female drivers face heightened risks of harassment and assault, particularly during night shifts or in isolated areas. This reality leads many to avoid certain hours or locations, potentially reducing their earning opportunities.
- Additionally, the physical demands of prolonged driving can result in health issues, including
chronic pain and fatigue, which are exacerbated by limited access to facilities like restrooms. - Regulatory hurdles also pose significant obstacles. For instance, in Portugal, the women-only
ride-hailing platform Pinker ceased operations before its launch due to regulatory challenges.
The Mobility and Transport Institute (IMT) suspended its license due to concerns of potential discrimination, leading the founder to abandon the project. - Implementing gender-segregated transport systems (GTS) could unintentionally reinforce gender segregation in urban spaces, restricting women's mobility and perpetuating societal inequalities. Critics contend that without accompanying changes in social norms, such policies may end up worsening the very problems they are designed to solve.
- Low driver supply, dynamic demand, increased waiting times and accurate gender identification are also additional challenges. These issues can lead to underutilisation, overcrowding or non-enforcement of segregated spaces, leading some cities to halt GST initiatives.
Solutions
To address these issues, the following strategies have been proposed:
- Adjusting Pricing Structures: Adopting dynamic pricing models can effectively balance supply and demand, ensuring the financial sustainability of women-only services.
- Optimizing Service Coverage and Hours: Concentrating operations on high-demand areas and times can boost efficiency. For example, customizing services for specific neighborhoods or peak hours can better meet user needs.
- Targeting Specific Customer Groups: Creating services tailored to specific demographics, like women in high-risk areas or individuals with unique occupational needs, can enhance safety and accessibility.
- Enhancing Safety and Security Features: Integrating features such as panic buttons and verified driver profiles can boost user confidence and attract more riders.
- Investing in Training and Recruitment: Creating programs to train and recruit female drivers can help alleviate supply shortages. For instance, providing driving courses and certifications can empower more women to enter the transportation workforce.
- Facilitating Vehicle Financing: Providing financial support, such as loans or subsidies, can enable women to acquire vehicles, thereby increasing the number of female drivers.
These strategies aim to create a more equitable and efficient GST system, addressing both operational challenges and user needs. They also highlight the complexities faced by women drivers, even on women-only platforms, and the need for comprehensive strategies to ensure their safety, health and equal treatment in the gig economy.
Are there any notable projects that should be included? Please contact us at media@wageindicator.org
Women in gig transport: a global uptrend - For more curiosities and insights, click on the visuals below:
