Last weekend, I booked an Uber. I wasn’t alone—thankfully. From the moment we got in, the driver dove into a conversation that quickly crossed every professional and personal boundary.
He began talking about how he doesn’t believe in marriage, how “love doesn’t exist anymore,” and how life is just about “finding someone to sleep with.” He laughed as he described his casual escapades with women. I laughed too—not because I agreed, but because sometimes women laugh to keep the situation calm, especially when trapped in a moving car with a stranger.
What he didn’t realize was that every word, every smirk, and every casual sexual remark was painting a picture: one of entitlement, disrespect, and a mindset that sees women not as people, but as opportunities.
We reached our destination, and I thought that was the end of it.
It wasn’t.
The next day after work, my phone lit up with an unknown number. I answered, and on the other end, an overly excited voice said, “Ooh, it’s the cab driver from Saturday. When are you free for us to ‘link up’?” The quotes were his—clear, deliberate, and dripping with sexual intent.
I didn’t hesitate. “If it’s about that, I’m never available,” I said.
He mumbled an apology, then, “Basi ni sawa”(Which means ＂Ok then＂) and I hunged up.
Why This Matters
This wasn’t just an awkward conversation. It was a breach of trust and safety. Drivers in ride-hailing services are in a position of responsibility. Using that space to make sexual advances—especially by tracking a passenger down afterward—is harassment.
Too often, women’s discomfort is minimized because “he didn’t touch you” or “he was just talking.” But harassment is not only physical—it’s verbal, emotional, and psychological. It’s the erosion of safety in everyday spaces.
The Bigger Picture
What happened to me is not unique. Women across the world report inappropriate comments, advances, and even assaults from ride-hailing drivers. The problem is twofold:
1. Predatory Mindsets – Some men normalize objectifying women, masking it as casual banter or “just being real.”
2. Lack of Accountability – Passengers often feel reporting won’t lead to action, so incidents go unaddressed.
How to Protect Yourself in Rideshares
Avoid sharing personal details (where you work, where you live).
Always share your trip details with a friend or family member.
Travel with someone when possible, especially at night.
Report any inappropriate behavior immediately to the ride-hailing app and, if necessary, the police.
A Call for Change
We need stricter driver vetting, real consequences for harassment, and cultural shifts that teach respect and consent. It’s not enough for women to “be careful.” The responsibility must shift to the systems and individuals creating unsafe situations in the first place.
Every ride should be just that—a ride. Not a gamble with your safety, not a test of your boundaries, and certainly not a gateway to unsolicited sexual advances.
Until that’s reality, we speak up, we report, and we keep pushing for a world where safety is not a privilege, but a right.
