To mark International Women’s Month, Women at Uber and Black at Uber teamed up with TechConnect to host an event on the role of technology and culture in promoting equity across the continent.
According to Marjorie Saint-Lot, Head of Uber
Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, the event is intended to be a reminder to all African
women and girls of the potential they have to become global leaders and
trailblazers in the world of tech and business, or indeed whatever path they
choose to follow.
“As a global organisation that prioritises
inclusion and gender equity, Uber has long championed the cause of women around
the world,” Saint-Lot points out, “not only because it is a moral imperative to
create a more just and equitable society with opportunities for all, but also
because promoting gender equality and women's empowerment, and putting more
women in leadership positions, is proven to make for more innovative,
successful and sustainable businesses.
Jeminatu Alabi-isama, Head of TechConnect Africa
states that “It’s our mission to build a highly engaged, innovative and
interconnected global community. We are proud to work with Uber on this
initiative to uplift and empower women across Africa and transform communities.”
The event attracted African female business role
models who shared their experiences and insights, including the lessons they
have learned in their respective journeys. The panellists included Marjorie
Saint-Lot, Vanessa Bannerman of Christie Brown, Adoma Owusu of Visa and Femi
Asante of Group Sebastien. The conversation was moderated by Nanama Botchwey,
the founder of N.Dowuona & Company.
At the event, Uber also announced the official
launch of #GigSister, a women earner empowerment initiative in Ghana, Kenya and
South Africa. #GigSister is an influencer-led community group created to
connect, empower and grow female drivers on the Uber platform across Africa.
The initiative, which has already achieved success in parts of Europe and the UK,
sees Uber teaming up with like-minded partners, including Google and L’Oreal,
to uplift and empower women through mental health support, motivation and
self-promotion, as well as self-defence training.
From a women-driver safety perspective, Uber launched
‘Women Preferred’ in South Africa which allows women and non-binary drivers to
choose to only pick up women riders.
“We are excited about this opportunity to come together and celebrate the potential of women to be business leaders in Africa,” Saint-Lot says, “and in the process promoting gender equality, recognising the contributions of women in business creating a more level playing field for both genders in Africa and inspiring women and girls to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams and career ambitions.”