It has been seven years since women in Saudi Arabia were granted the right to drive, and Uber says it is reaffirming its commitment to empowering women by launching its innovative ‘Women Drivers’ product and the GigSister Community.
These initiatives are designed to offer women’s mobility and economic opportunities in the Kingdom.
The ‘Women Drivers’ feature enables women riders to request rides exclusively from women drivers, significantly enhancing rider comfort and safety. This new option will soon be available to Uber users, rolling out gradually over the coming weeks. The service will function similarly to UberX, featuring comparable pricing, and riders will also have the option to schedule rides up to 30 minutes in advance through the Uber Reserve feature.
Youssef Abouseif, General Manager of Uber KSA, stated: “Women across Saudi Arabia have shown how mobility can unlock new opportunities. At Uber, we envision a future that is electric, shared, autonomous, and inclusive.
“Our ‘Women Drivers’ product underscores our dedication to empowering Saudi women, enhancing their mobility, and supporting their economic independence. We believe such initiatives are integral to achieving the goals outlined in Saudi Vision 2030,” he said.
Collaborating with Alnahda Society and Introducing GigSister
Uber has also partnered with Alnahda Society, a prominent non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women economically and socially since 1962. This collaboration includes capacity-building initiatives such as financial literacy programs, which equip women with critical skills for economic independence. The partnership builds upon previous successful collaborations, such as the Masaruky initiative, which assisted thousands of women in obtaining driving licenses and entering the workforce.
Complementing these efforts, Uber is launching its first-ever GigSister event in Saudi Arabia, offering women drivers a dedicated platform to network, share experiences, and cultivate a supportive community.
Historically, Uber has pioneered various impactful programs in Saudi Arabia, including the Wusool initiative, which subsidized over 20 million rides for women, and the Women Rider Preference option, allowing female drivers to exclusively select women riders. These initiatives have collectively helped to advance women’s participation in the Saudi workforce, aligning closely with the Kingdom’s broader socio-economic ambitions.
