Uber is launching an all-women option in Saudi Arabia, allowing female riders to be matched with female drivers. The feature, called Women Drivers, is intended to give women more opportunities in the workforce.
"The launch of the 'Women Drivers' product reflects our commitment to empowering women and supporting their mobility and economic independence," said Youssef Abouseif, Uber's General Manager in Saudi Arabia. "We're giving women more choice, more opportunity, and a strong sense of community."
New to the Kingdom? Check out our top tips on how to get around seamlessly
The all-women option is a practical feature that makes the space more inclusive for women as customers and drivers. Yet it also calls back to Saudi Arabia's decision to lift the ban on women driving seven years ago, creating a striking parallel showcasing how far the Kingdom has come as it continues moving towards its Vision 2030 goals. The platform already allows female drivers to exclusively accept women riders, and has facilitated more than 20 million subsidized rides for women.
Uber is taking other measures to support its women drivers in Saudi Arabia, including Gigsister, a program to connect female drivers and build a local support network. The company is also working with Alnahda Society, a women's empowerment non-profit, to help build women's financial literacy and economic independence.
Other than its work to include more women in the industry, Uber has expanded globally, making transportation more convenient than ever before; it has introduced private helicopter and boat transport in Italy, taking Amalfi coast luxury to new heights (literally).
Closer to home, the company has confirmed that it will introduce driverless Ubers in Saudi Arabia by the end of 2025, first rolling out in major Saudi cities. But don't fret, the first phase of the rollout will include drivers to ensure the safety of the vehicles, before going fully autonomous.
