All-female driving service launched in Bolivia

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

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

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

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

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

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

Their mission is that all of their passengers feel safe while in their 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 the 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 the Caribbean (CEPAL) report on femicides in Latin America registered the 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."

Their male counterparts don't think the ladies should be driving.

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

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

Until proven otherwise, however, the intrepid all female transportation service members will continue to take their passengers safely to their final destinations.