From Moscow to Dubai to Bombay women are making the streets safer by becoming drivers of pink taxi cabs. Women understand all too well what being vulnerable feels like at a physical level. What should be a simple and safe way to travel - getting in a taxi to go from one doorway (from work) to the next doorway (home) - all too often has ended in rape or death. The women driving the Pink Taxi cabs are not only creating a safe way for women to make their journey, they have broken with many traditions by entering a predominately male occupation, breaking stereotypes and earning decent wages for their work.
It's very interesting that the Pink Taxis must be booked ahead of time. It makes me think that this also helps to protect the women drivers as well as their passengers. You can read more about the Pink Taxis in Moscow when it just began in August 2006 Pink Taxi received just 20 calls. By February 2007 the company was averaging 140 calls per day but could only answer 70 - needing to find a way to expand.
A fleet of women-only taxis began in Dubai in January 2007 and by May the number of women-only taxis was in such high demand that the fleet was set to double in size.
The first women-only taxis began in the UK and now looking to expand in Mexico. This is an example of great tactic transferability.
Can we also find ways for women who can't afford a taxi to get safely from one place to next as well? That really means that we have to deal with the root of the problem - stopping violence against women in all areas of life.
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Supporting pink taxis
The pink taxi concept is just great. It would be even better if it could be exported to more countries and expanded in countries where they already operate: do the pink taxi drivers in different countries have an international network? How about approaching some prominent women who might be prepared to 'market' this concept by lending their own name and prestige? One who comes to mind for me (just because I like golf!) is Paula Creamer, a young US golfer who ALWAYS wears pink - no idea of her social activism record. There are obviously many others (Queen Noor, Madeline Albright.....) as well organizations that specifically work on the issue of violence against women that could promote this concept. (I for one had never heard of the pink taxis). It seems like a concept that would work in any country and culture and would be attractive for women to sponsor. Obviously, as Nancy points out, it is crucial to continue the work to end violence against women but this is a great tactic to en route to that goal.