Uber expands women‑driver filter across Brazil as platform pushes for more female drivers

Uber Brazil has rolled out the "Uber Mulher" feature nationwide after a trial in seven cities. The filter lets women and non‑binary riders prioritize rides with women drivers, a move aimed at improving safety and encouraging more female participation in the platform.

According to Uber Brazil CEO Silvia Penna, only about 8 % of registered drivers are women, despite an equal gender split among the 30 million users. The company reported a 160 % rise in women drivers since launching the earlier "U‑Elas" program, but cites cultural barriers such as limited vehicle access, licensing hurdles and unequal household responsibilities as ongoing challenges.

The expansion reflects a broader trend in the ride‑hailing market, where niche apps such as Lady Driver, DriveHer, Vixy and others target specific groups—including women, seniors, pet owners and even armored‑vehicle users—signalling diversification beyond generic platforms like Uber and 99.