All-female driving service launched in Bolivia

A group of Bolivian women have joined forces to create country's first transportation service using only female drivers.

On Wednesday, 47 members of all-female transportation service stood proudly next to ir vehicles waving to show ir enthusiasm for ir new jobs.

re is a popular saying in Bolivia regarding women drivers, "women at wheel are a constant danger" so women changed it to "women at wheel, always safe."

"More than anything for safety of women and children that is reason most people trust women more," said Mary Yujra, a female minibus driver.

"Sometimes re is no confidence in men because of things that have happened such as latest rapes of women."

transportation service is propelled by Central of Productive and Hard Working Women of El Alto, which is waging a battle against machismo while at same time fighting violence against women and earning a living doing it.

ir mission is that all of ir passengers feel safe while in ir vehicles, each of which is equipped with a GPS, a camera, as well as respecting norms of hygiene due to COVID-19.

El Alto is a dangerous city.

According to office of Bolivia's Attorney General, as of mid-September this year, 86 femicides occurred in Bolivia and 36 of those took place in El Alto.

A 2019 UN Economic Commission for Latin America and Caribbean (CEPAL) report on femicides in Latin America registered highest number of femincides in Bolivia, where for every 100,000 women, 2.1 die as a result of femicide."

"It is difficult to enter this machista world," said Julia Quispe who drives a taxi.

"It is hard but we will achieve it."

ir male counterparts don't think lies should be driving.

"re are always problems down line with some drunk or a passenger," said José Luis Mamani, a taxi driver.

"I do not believe that women can defend mselves."

Until proven orwise, however, intrepid all female transportation service members will continue to take ir passengers safely to ir final destinations.