Abuja female taxi drivers allege harassment, seek support

D****espite growing acceptance of women in professions traditionally dominated by men, female taxi drivers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) say they continue to face harassment, stereotypes, safety concerns and financial difficulties while trying to earn a living.

Some of the drivers who spoke to Daily Trust said they ventured into the transport business out of economic necessity and a passion for driving, but have had to contend with verbal abuse, discrimination and the perception that women are incapable of handling commercial driving.

Peace Daniel, who has been driving commercially for more than eight years, said the challenges began from the moment she entered the profession as a young woman.

She said some passengers initially refused to enter her vehicle after seeing a woman behind the wheel, while some male drivers also viewed her presence on the road as competition.

She recalled that some male drivers threatened to damage her vehicle and deal with her because passengers sometimes preferred her taxi.

“Some of the male drivers would tell me that the charm I was using would be spoiled one day and that they would deal with me. Different things happened, but I kept conquering and refused to stop,” she said.

Daniel, who said she was among the first women carried along during the formation of the Federation of Female Drivers Association (FEDAN), identified harassment by roadside touts, popularly known as “Agberos”, as one of the major challenges that should be addressed by the government.

“Their matter is worse. They don’t have respect for women. They do anyhow. Even if they beg you for money and you give them, they will still harass you. They will not want you to load and will keep pursuing you,” she said.

She urged the government to intervene, saying the situation was making commercial driving more difficult for women.

Beyond harassment, Daniel said the rising cost of fuel was also affecting drivers’ livelihoods, as high fuel prices had translated into higher transport fares and reduced passenger movement.

“The fuel price is high. Because it is high, the transport fare is also high. Many people are not really going out because of that. If they can help us reduce it a little bit, I think it will help. It will even help reduce the prices of goods in the market,” she said.

Daniel also appealed to the government to support female drivers with vehicles, saying many women have the skills to drive but lack the means to own cars.

She said she currently drives someone else’s vehicle after hers developed a fault and pays the owner daily, but continues with the job because it remains a source of livelihood.

“Like me, I’m driving for somebody presently because mine had an issue. I have no choice but to do it instead of sitting down. God is helping me; each day I come out, God gives me my daily bread,” she said.

Another driver, Augustina Okafor, who operates around the Kuje axis, said she chose the profession after struggling to secure stable employment.

“Driving has helped me provide for my family, but many people are still surprised to see a woman behind the wheel. Some passengers doubt my ability before the trip even begins, while others become uncomfortable simply because I am female,” she said.

Okafor said her ambition was to become a major player in the transport business within the next five years, adding that she hoped to eventually establish her own company.

Another driver, Esther Nwabulo Eze, who operates in the Dutse area, said safety remains one of the biggest challenges female drivers encounter.

“There are places I avoid, especially at night. We constantly have to think about our safety because you cannot always predict the intentions of passengers,” she explained.

The drivers said female motorists often have to work harder to earn passengers’ confidence and prove that they are equally capable of providing professional transport services.

They appealed to transport authorities and security agencies to strengthen measures that would guarantee the safety of drivers, regardless of gender, while also encouraging the public to treat female drivers with respect.

Industry stakeholders said the increasing number of women joining taxi and ride-hailing services reflects changing social and economic realities, noting that many women now see commercial driving as a viable source of income.

They, however, stressed the need for improved security, public awareness and policies that would create a safer and more supportive working environment for women in the transport sector.