Ride service launched for women, transpersons

App includes option for immediate safety response

LAHORE:

An online ride service for women and transgender people has been introduced in the city. All the drivers and customers of the 'SheDrives' service will be women or transgender persons.

The CEO of the service, Ammaz Farooqi, told The Express Tribune, "We have been working for a long time to empower the transgender community. We are working on the first gender guardian school project in Pakistan to skill and educate transgender individuals. Now, we have started a service called SheDrives to address transportation issues faced by women and transgender individuals."

He said women and transgender people who know how to drive a bike, car or rickshaw may register with the service.

He said the service would place a high emphasis on the security of women and transgender individuals. The app includes a "help" option. If a customer or rider feels unsafe in any way, they can quietly press the help button, which will immediately send their call to the Safe Cities Authority, allowing them to be traced through the online system.

Member of National Assembly Shaista Pervaiz Malik praised the project and said it would provide economic and travel benefits to the women and transgender community.

Punjab Women Protection Authority Chairperson Hina Pervaiz Butt emphasised the need to provide excellent travel facilities for women.

She noted that a significant number of women abandon their education and avoid jobs because they face issues with safe transportation to colleges, universities and workplaces. "The Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has clearly stated that the protection of women is a red line for us," she added.

A transgender individual, Maya, said that the transgender community has faced security issues. The initiative will not only provide them respectable employment but will also offer a sense of security during travel.