Tech in Africa
Bolt, an e-hailing platform just launched a women-only service that helps women passengers request rides from female drivers. This women-only service is available through the Bolt app. The service has been rolled out across 8 cities; Cape Town, Mbombela, Johannesburg, Durban, Rustenburg, East London, Mthatha, and Emalahleni.
South African women on several occasions have shared their views and experiences on alleged sexual abuse and harassment at the hands of e-hailing drivers. Women passengers that requested for the Women Only ride service connect with women drivers on this Bolt platform.
Bolt is catching up with other ride-hailing services targeting women passengers in South Africa such as HER, CheufHer, and,Ladies Own Transport. Gareth Taylor, the country manager for Bolt in South Africa says, “Gender-based violence is a reality”
Drivers and passengers utilizing Bolt’s new Women Only service are safeguarded by an SOS emergency button integrated into the app. This was through the partnership with the national safety platform Namola. The new innovation is partly in response to a report by the International Finance Corporation research where 64% of women cited security as a reason people do not sign up for the e-hailing services.
