With the goal to help accelerate economic opportunity for women globally, Uber is teaming up with UN Women to create 1 million jobs for female drivers by 2020.
The pledge was announced on the 20th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, which promises to “advance the goals, development and peace for all women everywhere in the interest of all humanity.” Currently in the United States, about 14 percent of Uber’s 160,000 drivers are women, with the company saying it adds thousands more drivers each month. While the goal to add 1 million new jobs for women in just five years may seem like an ambitious plan, Uber’s general counsel, Sallie Yoo, says the job offers perks that are actually appealing to the lifestyle of women with families.
“Uber does not require (minimum) hours and it does not require a schedule,” Yoo told Reuters. “It offers the chance to be entrepreneurial, the chance to balance work and family.”
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UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and Uber CEO Travis Kalanick released a message that shared both of their excitement about the new partnership.
“We intend to invest in long-term programs in local communities where we live and work as Uber commits to creating 1,000,000 jobs for women globally on the Uber platform by 2020,” the two executives said in a statement on the Uber website. “This important mission can only be accomplished when all women have direct access to safe and equitable earning opportunities. We look forward to a partnership where UN Women and Uber will drive more access to these types of opportunities around the world.”
Watch the video below as Uber gives you a global perspective on their new commitment to create employment opportunities for women around the world.