Bolt's "Women at the Wheel" Initiative: Empowering Women in the Ride-Hailing Industry

Bolt, the mobility app company, has made an impactful move by committing €2.5 million to empower women in the ride-hailing industry. This noteworthy initiative, called "Women at the Wheel," addresses the significant gender disparity in the sector and aims to unlock new earning opportunities for women as drivers on ride-hailing platforms.

“WOMEN AT THE WHEEL”

The "Women at the Wheel" campaign is being rolled out across eleven countries: Nigeria, Azerbaijan, Romania, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Portugal, Poland, Slovakia, Croatia, Latvia, and Estonia. It comes at a time when nearly 90% of women have experienced a rise in living costs over the past year, according to a survey conducted by Bolt across four European and African countries. Surprisingly, despite 93% of women expressing an interest in pursuing additional sources of income, only a mere 7.2% have considered working as ride-hailing drivers to earn extra money.

Bolt's research also highlights the prevailing perception that driving is predominantly a male-dominated profession. Alarmingly, a quarter of the respondents confessed that they had never considered becoming drivers because they didn't envision it as a suitable occupation for women.

With its "Women at the Wheel" campaign and substantial financial commitment, Bolt is actively challenging these barriers and striving to create a more inclusive and diverse ride-hailing industry, encouraging women to embrace the opportunities available and redefine traditional gender roles.

DIRECTOR, VENUS LIM ON UNDERREPRESENTED WOMEN

Venus Lim, the Director of Central Operations for Ridehailing at Bolt, shared her thoughts on the initiative, stating:

“Women are under-represented in many parts of society, but in the mobility sector, the inequality is particularly stark.

“There are many reasons why many women are unlikely to consider becoming drivers, and this campaign aims to raise awareness of some of the prejudices held against female drivers and make it easier for women to access flexible, independent work on Bolt and other ride-hailing platforms—something that is particularly important now when the cost of living is going up for everyone.”

Additionally, he highlighted that Bolt's campaign involves a commitment to invest in various initiatives across different countries, aiming to address the barriers that hinder women's participation in the mobility sector. These initiatives encompass strategic partnerships with NGOs dedicated to women's rights and the promotion of female drivers. Furthermore, Bolt plans to provide subsidies for licensing costs, facilitating an easier entry into the driving profession for women. Notably, the company is also focused on developing new safety features within the Bolt app to enhance the overall security and well-being of female drivers.

Bolt's Empowerment Initiatives and Commitment to Safety in Nigeria

In Nigeria, Bolt is making significant strides in promoting women's empowerment within the ride-hailing industry. One of their noteworthy initiatives is the Women in Tech internship program, which not only provides career opportunities but also serves as a stepping stone for young women aspiring to enter the tech industry. Currently in its third year, the internship program offers a three-month paid internship to passionate young women with a keen interest in both the tech and ride-hailing sectors. During this period, participants receive invaluable mentorship from accomplished female leaders within the Bolt organization.

“As a business, we value all our drivers and recognise that they play an integral role in the continued growth of our brand, and we do not take their commitment and efforts for granted. Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls (UN SDG 5) is a key pillar of our work. We at Bolt believe that we have an opportunity to contribute to bridging the gender gap by allowing women to be self-employed in the digital e-hailing space.”

“Through the Women at the Wheel campaign, we endeavor to continue offering more women in Nigeria viable economic opportunities to empower them while also advancing the growth of the industry in the market. We remain committed to also ensuring their safety, both as drivers and riders on our platform, and that is why we are constantly reviewing and innovating more safety features to ensure quality measures are in place to deliver the right experience,” said Yahaya Mohamed, Country Manager, Rides.

As part of its ongoing commitment to safety and service excellence, Bolt continues to prioritize the enhancement of its safety features. This dedication extends to the well-being of both female drivers and passengers, ensuring that they can enjoy secure and affordable rides on the platform.

In 2021, Bolt took its advocacy for service excellence a step further by organizing a driver league competition. This initiative aimed to recognize and reward drivers for their exceptional performance. Notably, Bolt established a dedicated women's league within the competition, highlighting its commitment to supporting and empowering female drivers.

During the competition, Bolt presented the top female driver in the women's league with a brand new car. This significant reward serves as a practical solution to address one of the common challenges faced by many drivers in the ride-hailing industry—the need to own a vehicle to maximize their earnings.

Through such initiatives, Bolt not only ensures the safety and satisfaction of its drivers and passengers but also fosters a supportive environment that recognizes and celebrates the contributions of female drivers.