When women riders and drivers told us they wanted more control over how they ride and earn, we listened. That feedback led to Women Preferences, features designed to give women the choice to ride with other women. Since our first pilots last summer, we’ve heard just how much that choice matters—from feeling more comfortable in the back seat to more confident behind the wheel.
I don’t get why they don’t just make this a global option. Anyone can choose their preferred gender. Some women prefer women, some prefer men. Hell, some men prefer men.
I imagine lawyers are the biggest issue. Anti discrimination laws vary greatly by jurisdiction. This type of de jure discrimination against a privileged group to counter de facto discrimination against a marginalized one is the type of situation that is going to be thorny pretty much everywhere, with differing results everywhere.
They’ say they’re doing it for women’s safety, which makes sense. On its face I agree with you that it should be global, to let everyone express their preference for whoever. Assuming men create most of the harassment/assault issues, though, it could be a bad idea to give those same men the ability to get a woman (or a man) delivered to their location at the push of a button. We could even see cases of that ability attracting unsavory types who would otherwise not even consider using Uber. I don’t exactly put a lot of faith in them creating a culture of safety that would prevent it. I myself prefer not men as drivers, and would like the option, but I’m also not a fuckin’ creep.
Eh, this could easily be exploited though, could it not? Just register as a woman looking for a woman client/driver. Is there a verification process to prove you’re a woman?
It probably pulls from whatever’s already on the license. I assume there’s a verification process to drive.
Let’s request an option for a blonde driver with a huge rack