Working with Taxi Drivers to Combat Gender-Based Violence

Taxi drivers are key players in preventing gender-based violence. Here’s why: taxi drivers in South Africa, particularly in the KwaZulu-Natal Dundee and Molweni areas, are trusted members of their communities. They interact daily with people from diverse backgrounds, giving them a unique opportunity to influence conversations around gender equality and gender-based violence prevention.

At HeCareZA, we recognised that taxi drivers could play a crucial role in spreading awareness about GBV prevention at the grassroots level. We already engage with youth at a grassroots level through soccer programmes, so expanding the sectoral partnership programme to reach a wider community through the transport sector was the logical next step. That’s why we partnered with the taxi industry in our ongoing GBV awareness programmes. Through daily conversations with passengers, drivers help spark discussions on gender norms, roles, equality and non-violence, using their platform to create meaningful change.

Our goal is to turn these drivers into digital activists, equipped to facilitate online dialogues around GBV and gender equality. This is a pilot project, and we aim to expand it, empowering even more drivers to use their influence in their communities.

Learning from the Safe Ride Campaign

HeCareZA’s work builds on the success of initiatives like the Safe Ride campaign, which engages the South African taxi industry—including:

• drivers
• owners
• taxi associations,
• and queue marshals

By engaging with these key players, they promote respectful, non-violent behaviour towards passengers. The campaign’s focus on preventing sexual and gender-based violence and harassment, while promoting gender equality and safety for women and children, aligns closely with HeCareZA’s mission. Inspired by this campaign, we aim to expand these efforts through digital activism, empowering taxi drivers to spread the message of respect and safety throughout their communities.

Creating Digital Activists for Gender Equality

Taxi drivers have the potential to be powerful voices for gender equality and GBV prevention. By partnering with HeCareZA, they are learning to use their daily interactions as opportunities to challenge harmful gender norms and promote a culture of respect and non-violence.

The focus of this partnership is on transforming these drivers into digital activists. Through practical training and engagement, we help them co-create content that addresses the specific challenges in their communities. This content is then shared digitally, allowing for a broader reach and deeper engagement in the fight against gender-based violence.

HeCareZA’s Approach to Engaging Taxi Drivers

In our first sessions with the taxi drivers, we focused on building a shared vision. We introduced them to the HeCareZA Programme and explained our mission to combat gender-based violence while promoting mental health.

Dialogue facilitation is a key skill we emphasised. Since taxi drivers are constantly interacting with the public, we taught them how to initiate and navigate tough conversations about GBV, gender equality, and other sensitive topics. We also focused on handling diverse opinions, encouraging open dialogue, and fostering positive community engagement.

Utilising WhatsApp Groups for Continued GBV Awareness

To ensure ongoing communication and collaboration, we created WhatsApp groups for the drivers. These groups allow them to share ideas, experiences, and success stories. For instance, one idea that emerged from these groups was the creation of posters promoting gender equality and non-violence, which are now displayed on taxis.

These digital platforms enable taxi drivers to remain active participants in GBV prevention and ensure the message of gender equality reaches a wide audience.

Ongoing Workshops at Taxi Ranks in KZN

HeCareZA continues to engage taxi drivers through regular workshops at taxi ranks in KZN, specifically in the Dundee and Molweni areas. These workshops focus on social issues affecting the community, including gender-based violence, community safety, and the importance of responsible online behaviour and digital literacy.

During these sessions, drivers share their experiences, insights, and strategies for spreading awareness about GBV prevention. The drivers have shown a strong commitment to using their position to influence positive change within their communities.

Driving Change: Taxi Drivers as Role Models for Gender Equality

The taxi drivers stepped up to the challenge to become role models for other men, young and old.

By becoming role models in their communities, taxi drivers can actively contribute to reducing gender-based violence. Their daily interactions give them a unique position to promote gender equality and non-violence, both in-person and online. Through their partnership with HeCareZA, they are helping to create safer, more respectful communities.

Taxi Drivers Can Help to Build a Safer South Africa

At HeCareZA, we believe that grassroots engagement is essential for meaningful change. By empowering taxi drivers in KZN to become digital activists and champions for gender equality, we are working toward a future where gender-based violence is no longer tolerated.

Our partnership with taxi drivers is just one part of our larger mission to combat gender-based violence and promote mental health awareness. With ongoing training, dialogue facilitation, and the use of digital platforms, we are creating a network of community leaders committed to making a difference.