Archive · 24 Jul 2025
Women's Ride-Hailing Experiences Highlight Safety Concerns in South Asia
In South Asia, a new book discusses how women feel about using ride-hailing services like cabs and bike taxis.
Women worry about safety and sometimes prefer traveling with people they know.
Some women find bike taxis less appealing due to the open exposure and potential unwanted attention.
Many women report feeling uncomfortable or even harassed by drivers.
Safety concerns drive their choices, emphasizing the impact of societal expectations and personal experiences on transportation decisions.
Women in South Asia share experiences using ride-hailing and bike taxis.
Safety perceptions are influenced by media and cultural norms.
Some women feel safer in familiar vehicles or with people they know.
Bike taxis are popular but less so with women due to various factors.
Drivers' behavior and unsolicited contact can make women uncomfortable.
- Who
- Women in South Asia.
- What
- Experiences of women using ride-hailing and bike taxi services in South Asia.
- When
- Not explicitly stated; the context suggests recent times.
- Where
- South Asia.
- Why
- To understand women's perspectives on safety and the factors influencing their transportation choices.
General Experience
Safety Concerns
Safety and Preference
General Experience
Women appreciate ride-hailing apps for convenience and economics, and some feel safe using them
Safety Concerns
Some women prefer other options, such as traveling with family or friends, because they feel unsafe or have experienced discomfort or harassment from drivers.
- Source
- OTP Please!: Online Buyers, Sellers and Gig Workers in South Asia, Vandana Vasudevan, Penguin India
- Key Issue
- Safety concerns for women
- Transportation types
- Ride-hailing and bike taxis
- Location Examples
- India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka