Uber Sri Lanka recently introduced its Women Rider Preference feature, a new add-on that aims to enhance safety and push more women drivers on the app. When opted in, the feature lets female drivers receive trip requests only from female passengers.
This adds a much-needed flexibility for drivers, particularly when working during optimal earning hours such as nighttime or driving through unfamiliar areas. The feature is now available on all mediums on Uber, from cars and tuks to bikes.
“This feature was built in response to what women drivers told us they needed to feel more comfortable and confident behind the wheel,” comments Kaushalya Gunaratne, Country Manager – Mobility for Uber Sri Lanka. She points out that the company has heard from many women drivers who want to work more hours, particularly during evenings, only to hesitate owing to safety concerns. “Women Rider Preference gives them more control over their experience and helps unlock greater earning potential on their terms,” she further said.
Congratulating the new feature, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne says, “The launch of Uber’s Women Rider Preference feature in Sri Lanka is a commendable step toward building a safer and more inclusive digital transport ecosystem.” He further stated that by giving female driver-partners greater choice and control, the Women Rider Preference feature directly supports the government’s “national vision of leveraging technology to create equitable opportunities, particularly for women.”
Uber first piloted the feature in Saudi Arabia in 2018 before launching it a year later. By November 2020, the company did a test run in Latin America. According to Uber, Women Rider Preference contributed to 15 million trips and a 15 percent increase in female drivers in Mexico. The feature was eventually released in over 20 markets, such as Australia in 2022, India in 2024, and now in Sri Lanka.
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