According to a recent report, 1,514 incidents of attempted murder involving female victims were recorded between July and September 2023. Furthermore, females were victims in 14,401 grievous bodily harm (GBH) incidents reported to the police during the same period. In response to alarming statistics like these, the University of Johannesburg hosted an event focusing on the nightlife economy as a means to tackle critical issues such as gender-based violence (GBV), sexual harassment, human trafficking, and drink spiking.
“The University of Johannesburg’s new project on the role of the nightlife economy in addressing gender-based violence brings together nightlife establishments, regulatory bodies, government departments, and communities to combat this issue. By engaging all stakeholders, including nightlife venues and e-hailing services, the initiative aims to foster vigilance and proactive measures, ensuring safer environments for everyone, especially during nighttime.” said Xitsakisi Fiona Mahlori, Senior Manager: Community Engagement at the University of Johannesburg.
Ashif Black, Business Development Specialist for Africa at inDrive, emphasises the importance of collaboration in confronting these safety issues. “This is essential when mitigating students’ safety concerns which is why the event involved nightclub owners, promoters, patrons, government organisations, e-hailing companies, and university students.”
Regarding the role of ride-hailing in addressing gender-based violence in the nightlife economy, he states, “The industry is integral in providing safe and reliable transportation options during late hours. However, we must also prioritise strategies to combat GBV, ensuring the safety and security of both passengers and drivers. To this end, inDrive has implemented a strict zero-tolerance policy towards GBV. Drivers and passengers found guilty of these incidents are permanently banned from using the app. This decisive action underscores our commitment to creating a safe and respectful environment for everyone.”
Moreover, inDrive has increased its number of female drivers. Black shares that this initiative not only provides women with economic opportunities but also offers female passengers the choice of a female driver, enhancing their sense of safety and comfort during rides, especially at night.
Users can now also add up to five trusted contacts in the inDrive app, with the support team able to reach out to these contacts during emergencies. “Users can also access all necessary information for requesting help or reporting incidents through the app’s SOS button has been made available too,” says Black.
“Over and above this, we have redesigned our app to make the Safety Centre more visible. Additionally, we are testing new features like photo sharing and automatic translation in the in-app chat to improve communication and safety, with these being tested by a limited number of users before a full rollout,” he points out. This update is part of the inDrive Safety Pact, which includes driver verification, real-time ride sharing with trusted contacts, and the option to select rides based on ratings, reviews, and destination visibility.
Beyond its core operations, inDrive actively supports social initiatives aimed at addressing GBV. One such initiative is Layita Khayelitsha, a programme that instals street lights in underserved communities. “Improved lighting in these areas significantly reduces the risk of violence, including GBV, by increasing visibility and deterring potential offenders,” explains Black.
“As a people-driven organisation, we are deeply committed to challenging injustices such as GBV. This commitment is not limited to South Africa but extends to other developing economies globally. By promoting gender equality, ensuring strict enforcement of safety policies, and supporting community-based initiatives, we strive to create a safer and more just society,” he concludes.
