Uber Partners With UN Women, Vows A Million Female Drivers By 2020

Latest among Uber's partnerships is UN Women with whom the ridesharing service is looking to boost "economic opportunity" for women, it has announced. Uber is dedicated to the goal, and as part of it the company has vowed to have a million female drivers by 2020. This announcement marks the Beijing Declaration's twentieth anniversary, and it'll be joined by "long-term programs in local communities" on UN Women's part. Joining the announcement is a video that makes it all clear, available after the jump.

Uber's CEO Travis Kalanick and UN Women's Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka issued a joined statement on the new partnership, saying they share a vision when it comes to women's empowerment and equality. Says the statement, in part: "This important mission can only be accomplished when all women have direct access to safe and equitable earning opportunities."

Some women have expressed concerns about using the Uber platform, whether as a rider or as a driver. Uber subtly addresses those concerns in the video above, particularly with the last interview which brings up some points about safety and security and why female drivers shouldn't worry. Still, there have been some instances that might keep potential drivers away.

Safety concerns have been a big talking point among both city officials and those in the taxi industry opposing Uber (though, of course, being alone in a taxi poses its own risks). Late last year, a New Delhi woman was raped by an Uber driver, something that spawned different safety measures.

SOURCE: Uber Blog