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 number of female drivers on ride-booking apps. The court has mandated that at least 15% of drivers on these platforms should be women, with a target to increase this percentage 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 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 government can help create a safer and more inclusive environment for female passengers. This is particularly important in a country like India, where women often face significant challenges and biases in accessing public transportation.
The court’s judgment also emphasizes the need for ride-booking apps to provide female passengers with the option to choose a female driver. This is a crucial aspect of enhancing safety and security, as many women prefer to travel with female drivers due to concerns about harassment and intimidation. By providing this option, ride-booking apps can help alleviate these concerns and create a more comfortable and secure experience for female passengers.
The Rajasthan High Court’s directive is also significant because it recognizes the importance of women’s participation in the workforce. By encouraging ride-booking apps to hire more female drivers, the government can help create new job opportunities for women and promote their economic empowerment. This is particularly important in a country like India, where women’s participation in the workforce is often limited by social and cultural barriers.
To achieve the target of 15% female drivers on ride-booking apps, the state government will need to work closely with these companies to implement policies and programs that promote women’s hiring and retention. This could include providing training and support to female drivers, as well as implementing safety measures to protect them from harassment and intimidation.
The court’s directive also highlights the need for greater accountability and regulation of ride-booking apps. These companies have often been criticized for their lack of transparency and accountability, particularly when it comes to issues of safety and security. By directing the state government to ensure that ride-booking apps comply with certain standards and regulations, the court is helping to promote a more responsible and accountable transportation industry.
In addition to promoting women’s safety and security, the court’s directive also has the potential to benefit the economy and society as a whole. By creating new job opportunities for women and promoting their economic empowerment, the government can help stimulate economic growth and reduce poverty. This is particularly important in a country like India, where women’s economic empowerment is critical to achieving sustainable development and reducing social inequality.
The Rajasthan High Court’s judgment is also significant because it sets a precedent for other states and countries to follow. By directing the state government to promote women’s participation in the transportation sector, the court is helping to create a model for other jurisdictions to emulate. This could have far-reaching implications for women’s safety and security, as well as their economic empowerment and participation in the workforce.
In conclusion, the Rajasthan High Court’s directive to ensure that at least 15% of drivers on ride-booking apps are women is a significant step towards promoting women’s safety and security, as well as their economic empowerment. By providing female passengers with the option to choose a female driver and promoting women’s participation in the workforce, the government can help create a more inclusive and equitable transportation industry. This move has the potential to benefit not just women, but also the economy and society as a whole.
To achieve the targets set by the court, the state government and ride-booking apps will need to work together to implement policies and programs that promote women’s hiring and retention. This could include providing training and support to female drivers, as well as implementing safety measures to protect them from harassment and intimidation. By working together, the government and private sector can help create a more safe, secure, and inclusive transportation industry that benefits everyone.
The court’s judgment is a welcome move, and it is hoped that other states and countries will follow suit. By promoting women’s participation in the transportation sector and providing them with safe and secure working conditions, we can help create a more equitable and just society. This is a critical step towards achieving sustainable development and reducing social inequality, and it is an important milestone in the journey towards a more inclusive and compassionate world.
News Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/legal-news/drivers-ride-booking-apps-women-high-court-rajasthan-govt-10392888/lite/
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