(qlmbusinessnews.com . Wed 11th Mar, 2026) London, UK —
Empowering Female Drivers and Riders: Uber Launches Women Preferences Feature Nationwide
Uber has introduced a new feature in its ride-hailing application across the United States allowing female drivers and passengers to opt for female counterparts, enhancing comfort and safety.
This initiative follows a successful pilot in the US, resulting in increased safety and confidence among female users, as reported by Uber. Despite facing legal challenges, specifically a class action lawsuit in California accusing the firm of gender discrimination, Uber proceeded with the rollout. This lawsuit argues that the feature unfairly favours female drivers by potentially offering them more ride opportunities.
In the United States, women make up approximately 20% of Uber's driving force, a figure that fluctuates depending on the city. The launch of Uber's Women Preferences feature on Monday comes as a response to feedback from female drivers and passengers seeking more agency in their Uber experience. This option allows women to either book a ride with a female driver in advance or adjust their settings to increase the chance of such a match. Furthermore, in locales that support teenage accounts, parents and teens can specifically request female drivers.
The legal battle in California has intensified with two male Uber drivers challenging the company, citing a breach of California's non-discrimination laws. These laws are designed to prevent sex discrimination in business operations. In defense, Uber has sought to halt the legal proceedings and push for private arbitration, grounded in the agreement drivers accept upon joining the platform. The company argues that the Women Preferences feature does not contravene the Unruh Act, emphasizing its role in bolstering safety.
This controversy emerges parallel to a similar lawsuit faced by Lyft, another ride-sharing service, over its gender and non-binary preference feature introduced in 2024.
Recent legal proceedings saw Uber being ordered to compensate a woman with $8.5 million (£6.2 million) following her assault by a man driving under Uber's banner. This case punctuates ongoing debates around the responsibility of ride-sharing companies for the actions of their drivers, who are classified as independent contractors.
Uber, headquartered in San Francisco, already extends this female-matching option to drivers in over 40 countries and to passengers in seven nations, including Spain, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia, underscoring its global commitment to enhancing user safety and preferences.
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