Ensure 15% drivers in ride booking apps are women: HC to Raj govt
In a landmark judgment, the Rajasthan High Court has directed the state government to take concrete steps to increase the representation of women drivers on ride-booking apps. The court has ordered that at least 15% of drivers on these platforms should be women, with a target of increasing this number to 25% over the next 2-3 years. This move is aimed at enhancing the safety and security of female passengers, who often face harassment and intimidation while using these services.
The High Court’s directive is a significant step towards promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in the transportation sector. By ensuring that a substantial percentage of drivers on ride-booking apps are women, the court is recognizing the importance of providing a safe and secure environment for female passengers. This move is also expected to encourage more women to take up driving as a profession, which has traditionally been a male-dominated field.
The court’s order also stipulates that female passengers must have the option to choose a female driver first. This is a crucial provision, as it acknowledges the concerns and fears that many women have when using ride-booking services. By giving them the option to choose a female driver, the court is recognizing their right to feel safe and secure while traveling.
The Rajasthan High Court’s judgment is a response to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by a social activist, who highlighted the lack of representation of women drivers on ride-booking apps. The petitioner argued that the absence of women drivers was a major concern, as it exposed female passengers to the risk of harassment and intimidation. The court, after hearing the arguments, directed the state government to take immediate action to address this issue.
The court’s order is a significant victory for women’s rights activists, who have been campaigning for greater representation of women in the transportation sector. The judgment is also a recognition of the fact that women’s safety and security is a major concern in India, where cases of harassment and violence against women are rampant.
The Rajasthan government has been directed to ensure that ride-booking companies operating in the state comply with the court’s order. The government will have to work with these companies to recruit and train more women drivers, and to provide them with the necessary support and infrastructure. The court has also asked the government to submit a report on the progress made in implementing its order.
The impact of the High Court’s judgment will be significant, not just for women in Rajasthan but also for the entire country. It is expected to set a precedent for other states to follow, and to encourage ride-booking companies to take concrete steps to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.
In recent years, there has been a growing concern about the safety and security of women using ride-booking services. There have been numerous cases of women being harassed, intimidated, and even assaulted by drivers. The lack of representation of women drivers on these platforms has been identified as a major contributing factor to this problem.
The Rajasthan High Court’s judgment is a significant step towards addressing this issue. By ensuring that at least 15% of drivers on ride-booking apps are women, the court is recognizing the importance of providing a safe and secure environment for female passengers. The judgment is also a recognition of the fact that women’s empowerment and gender equality are essential for creating a just and equitable society.
In conclusion, the Rajasthan High Court’s judgment is a landmark victory for women’s rights activists and a significant step towards promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in the transportation sector. The judgment is expected to have a positive impact on the safety and security of female passengers, and to encourage more women to take up driving as a profession. The state government and ride-booking companies must now work together to implement the court’s order and ensure that at least 15% of drivers on these platforms are women.
News Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/legal-news/drivers-ride-booking-apps-women-high-court-rajasthan-govt-10392888/lite/
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