Our
Vision
At WE DRIVE CHANGE, we strive to empower women through education, employment opportunities, partnerships and advocacy in e-mobility.
We aim to drive the transition to sustainable, inclusive, and gender-equitable mobility solutions, fostering collaborations with government, universities, NGOs, and the private sector to create accessible and clean transportation systems that empower women and promote global climate action.
Empowering Women in Electric Mobility: A journey of D.R.I.V.E
Why Electric Mobility Matters for Women
Imagine a future where electric vehicles hum through city streets, carrying not just passengers, but progress itself. At WE DRIVE CHANGE, we see this future, and we believe a critical force will drive it forward: women.
For too long, women have faced significant challenges in traditional transportation. Safety concerns, limited opportunities, and underrepresentation in the workforce have restricted their mobility and economic potential. But electric mobility presents a game-changer. EVs offer a quieter, cleaner, and safer transportation experience, revolutionizing how women navigate urban spaces.
Electric mobility stands at the forefront of a transportation revolution, holding immense promise for improving the lives of women around the world. In many societies, women face disproportionate challenges when accessing safe, affordable, and reliable transportation options. Limited mobility can hinder women's economic participation, restrict access to essential services, and exacerbate social inequalities.
However, electric mobility offers a transformative solution—a pathway to more accessible, inclusive, and empowering transportation systems. EVs provide quieter, cleaner, and safer modes of transport, enhancing the overall mobility experience for women. Additionally, the growth of the electric mobility sector opens up new avenues for women's economic empowerment, from employment opportunities in EV-related industries to entrepreneurship in sustainable transportation solutions.
Economic Empowerment
Electric mobility creates new employment opportunities across the sector, from driving EVs to maintaining them and developing charging infrastructure. UEMI is committed to ensuring women have a fair shot at these jobs, fostering financial independence and economic growth.
Economic Incentives
Switching from conventinal fueled vehicles to Electric Vehicles can potentially increase monthly salary up to
25%
for drivers in Ecuador.
Increased Accessibility
Electric vehicles can be a more comfortable and accessible alternative to traditional transportation, particularly for women with specific needs. EVs tend to be quieter and offer smoother acceleration, making journeys potentially more manageable.
Empowerment in Decision-making
Women's active participation and leadership in the electric mobility sector empower them to influence the development and implementation of transportation policies, technologies, and infrastructure that better meet their needs and preferences.
Equitable Access
Women's involvement in electric mobility initiatives promotes equitable access to transportation solutions for all members of society, including those traditionally underserved or marginalized, thus advancing social inclusion and mobility justice.
Consumer Influence
Women are significant influencers and decision-makers in household purchasing decisions, including transportation choices. Their preferences and priorities can shape the demand for electric vehicles and related services, driving market growth and innovation in the electric mobility sector.
Diverse Perspectives
Women bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and insights to the development and implementation of electric mobility solutions, enriching the industry with new ideas, approaches, and design considerations that better reflect the needs and preferences of all users.
Workforce Diversity
Encouraging women's participation in the electric mobility workforce enhances diversity and talent pool within the industry, fostering innovation, creativity, and competitiveness while addressing labor shortages and skill gaps.
Improving Gender Equality in the Transport Sector
Ensuring mobility barriers don't hinder progress is crucial for women's economic participation. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) recognize this need. SDG 5 targets achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls, including eliminating violence against women and girls and providing access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all.
While governments address the problem, a multi-stakeholder approach is necessary. UEMI advocates for collaboration between decision-makers, transport providers, NGOs, and researchers to create a truly inclusive transportation landscape.
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
Gender Equality
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
SDG 5
Why Women Matter for Electric Mobility
In envisioning the future of urban transportation, one cannot overlook the pivotal role that women play in driving progress and shaping the landscape of electric mobility. Historically, women have faced formidable challenges in traditional transportation systems, ranging from safety concerns to limited economic opportunities and underrepresentation in the workforce.
However, the advent of electric mobility presents a transformative opportunity—a chance to redefine how women navigate urban spaces and participate in the transportation sector. Electric vehicles, with their promise of quieter, cleaner, and potentially safer transportation experiences, have the potential to revolutionize mobility for women. Enhanced safety features, improved accessibility, and new employment opportunities within the electric mobility sector all contribute to empowering women and unlocking their full potential as drivers of progress. By recognizing and addressing the unique needs and perspectives of women in electric mobility, we pave the way for a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable urban transportation future.
Measures to Address Gender Imbalances
Legal and Institutional Framework
Removing legal barriers for women in transport (e.g., driving restrictions), legislating against harassment and assault, and mandating GBV (gender-based violence) policies for companies and driving schools.
Company Policies
Developing company policies against GBV, actively recruiting women in all areas of transport, establishing confidential reporting mechanisms for GBV, and utilizing digital tracking tools for safety.
Pilot Projects
Developing projects that target increased women's involvement, offering female-dedicated services (e.g., female drivers for female passengers), and creating asset financing programs specifically for women.
Improved Infrastructure
Enhancing lighting in public spaces and transport stations, installing secure restrooms with baby-changing facilities, and deploying kiosks for GBV reporting at stations.
Safety Features
Including emergency buttons for passengers and drivers, displaying GBV reporting information within vehicles, and designing vehicles with individual seating and accessibility features for women with specific needs.
Training Programs
Conducting training for transport workers on gender sensitivity and GBV reporting.
Public Awareness Campaigns
Running public awareness campaigns on GBV and promoting girls' involvement in STEM education and vocational training in the transport sector.
Data Collection and Research
Collecting data on GBV in the transport sector and understanding social norms to inform future interventions.
Key Principles for Project Design
for women
Conduct a thorough baseline assessment to understand the local context:
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Analyze existing gender-inclusive projects to learn from successes and failures.
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Research gender-based violence (GBV) in public spaces and transport, along with relevant policies.
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Identify key stakeholders including civil society, public authorities, and companies with a strong gender focus.
Refine the context analysis by identifying social norms around women's involvement in transport.
1
Planning
Design empowering driving training programs, considering:
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Selecting an appropriate cohort size for close monitoring and individual needs.
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Beneficiary selection criteria to ensure commitment and suitability.
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Choosing a driving school with experience training women and a focus on safety and gender sensitivity.
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Providing financial and geographical support to minimize participant dropout rates.
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Addressing GBV concerns and creating safe spaces for reporting.
Ensure training on electric vehicle specifics, including driving, charging/battery swapping, maintenance, and sustainable battery use.
2
Training
Before and during training, address potential challenges:
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Clearly communicate physical demands and organizational/financial realities of operating EVs.
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Create safe spaces for women to discuss future operations and compatibility with family duties.
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Partner with male family members to promote project inclusivity.
Consider passenger vs. delivery service:
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Assess safety, working hours, physical implications, and market potential for both options.
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Explore collaboration with delivery companies and ride-hailing platforms catering to women.
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Prioritize daytime operations to minimize risks and allow for care duties.
3
Retain Women in Workforce
Understand Perceptions of Trained Women
Before Training:
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Motivations for becoming a driver included economic empowerment, family well-being, and a desire to be a catalyst for progress.
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Identified barriers included road safety concerns, lack of experience, and unfavorable working hours.
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Training needs included technical knowledge, safety training, and support for female drivers.
After Training:
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Report and analyse experiences.
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Adress challenges, such as costs of spare parts, road accidents, and health concerns (back pain, fatigue).
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Create a safe space for women (women-only focus group) to address these new challenges.
4
Evaluating
Understanding & Monitoring
Understanding the Perception of Women
Barriers
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Family care responsibilities made night hours undesirable for most women.
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Lack of moral and financial support from families.
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Fear of gender-based harassment.
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Road safety concern.
Motivations
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Interest in becoming moto-taxi drivers.
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Financial improvement and family support.
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Expanding career opportunities.
Support Measures
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Subsidized loans specifically for women received the strongest support.
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Driver training campaigns and special exams focused on women were highly favored.
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Media campaigns promoting female taxi drivers and raising awareness of gender-based harassment were also seen as important.
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.