Uber provides free lifts to women voting first time in Saudi Arabia

Uber provides free lifts to women voting first time in Saudi Arabia

New Delhi: Uber, the online taxi service is offering free rides to women in Saudi Arabia as the nation sees the women voting first time in the elections.

Saudi Arabia, a conservative Islamic country has allowed women to vote and contest elections the first time in their history. Uber, in a bid to help the women participation in the ongoing election, decided to provide free lifts for all the women who are going to vote.

The women are also not allowed to drive in the nation or talk to a man.

This is a joint effort between US-based Uber and Al-Nahda Philanthropic Society for Women, a Saudi women's empowerment group.

The campaign is a part of Nahda's wider struggle for gender equality and rights for women in the country.

Saudi Arabia is the last country to allow women to vote except for the Vatican City now. This is a first step in the long struggle of the gender equality.

Almost 1000 candidates for the elections are women which prove that they were just waiting for the opportunity. This initiative is a way to tell women that there will be a help if they needed it.

However, a number of women said that they wouldn't use Uber rather they would go polling booths with their family members.

This election which are a milestone step for the women in the history of Saudi Arabia and the Middle east can be an even bigger thing if somehow any women candidate manages to win.

More women voices are likely to be heard if they get representation in the decision making through the electoral process.

Uber and Nahda are hoping that their initiative encourages more women to participate in this elections.

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