Uber launches women-only feature

Uber and preteen girls now have something in common: certain doors come with a “NO BOYS ALLOWED” sign.

The ride-share app this week officially launched a new feature allowing women riders to set their preferences to be matched with female drivers when available.

• The new “Women Drivers” feature now appears alongside options like UberXL and carseat rides.
• Users can switch to another ride type if the wait is too long, or reserve a trip with a female driver in advance.
• Female users can also set a preference for a female driver in their app settings, increasing those odds—but not guaranteeing it.

Overall, women make up ~20% of Uber drivers in the US, though the share varies widely by city.

Uber-concerned with safety

The new feature is part of a larger pilot program from Uber aimed at addressing security concerns on the platform.

The ride-sharing app is currently facing thousands of pending legal cases over alleged misconduct by drivers. And a recent court decision finding Uber liable in a rape lawsuit has raised the risk of being found liable—or a costly settlement—in the other cases.

But…Not everyone is thrilled by the company’s new women-only feature. Both Uber and Lyft, which launched a similar women’s only program in 2024, have been sued by drivers who argue that it illegally discriminates against men.