RIYADH — Global technology giant Uber and Saudi-based non-profit Al Nahda continue to work towards empowering more women in the Kingdom. Uber has provided Al Nahda beneficiaries with over 10,000 free trips this year alone, helping women move around their communities throughout much of the pandemic.

The trips have allowed women to commute safely and comfortably, at a time when mobility has been severely impacted, facilitating greater flexibility and independence.

“The free trips provided by Uber and Al Nahda have helped me immensely. I no longer have to wait for a ride after work and can travel home safely everyday.

“It has also helped me move around freely outside of home and work — whether that’s making it to government appointments or travelling to the hospital. I’m deeply grateful to Uber and Al Nahda for their support,” said one of the beneficiaries of the partnership.

Uber and Al Nahda are also marking a 5-year partnership, having embarked on several initiatives over the years including driving women to vote in local elections in 2015, boosting female participation at the first elections in the Kingdom.

“Grassroots partnerships are integral to reaching and empowering local communities across the globe. Our long-standing partnership with Al Nahda in Saudi Arabia is a testament to our collective vision to support and empower the communities we operate in.

“We are proud of the progress we have made so far and committed to working together to achieve bigger and better things for Saudi Arabia for years to come,” said Mohammed Gazzaz, general manager for Uber in Saudi Arabia.

Uber and Al Nahda’s key initiative also launched in 2017 when Uber introduced ‘Masaruky’ in Saudi Arabia, in line with the Kingdom’s decision to grant women the right to drive.

The initiative aims to increase women’s participation in the workforce via access to affordable transportation, and flexible, part time economic opportunities, which more than 200,000 Saudis currently benefit from.

Joining forces with Al Nahda, the ride-sharing platform identified underprivileged women who were interested in learning how to drive but did not have the means to do so. In November 2019, the first 180 women drivers who earned their licenses via the program celebrated their achievement at a special ceremony in Riyadh.

“We are proud of the work we have achieved alongside Uber in supporting Saudi women by allowing them to move around freely and comfortably.

“Uber has placed continued trust in our ability to empower the local community and we look forward to many more years of fruitful work that will benefit the women of Saudi Arabia,” said Rasha Al Turki, Al Nahda CEO.