On the 8th March the citizens of Sofia will have the opportunity to take a ride with free “women taxis” as part of the campaign #ДамиКарат (Women Drive). The organization behind the idea of the project is the Bulgarian Fund for Women and its message is that being a good driver has nothing to do with gender. Ladies with proven skills behind the wheel will ride Volkswagen vehicles, and the passengers will be able to call a cab via the TaxiMe app.
The campaign takes off with the novel to Bulgaria service “women taxi” for the 8th March, thus drawing the attention to the lesser known heroines in the driver’s seat and to break the stereotype on women drivers. The project will contunie as a women’s platform for sharing experience on all topics related to driving and cars. In the following month a member from the Facebook group #ДамиКарат will be awarded with a special set of expert safe driving lessons.
The public domain is full of jokes and clichés about the bad drivers, and the general perception that women’s power is not within driving is widely spread. Is it true though that gender determines our driving skills? “According to official data, in 2013 the mere 13% of all road accidents in Bulgaria have been caused by women,” the BFW reps state and add: “The European Commission confirms that women are more safe and disciplined drivers, that they cause accidents and drive while drinking much less often than men. According to experts, women take better care of their cars and have a decisive role in the car purchase.” Millions of women are on the road every day and Bulgaria holds the 6th place in the EU for women employed in the transport sector. Despite all these statistics, stereotypes regarding women drive are thriving.
The official dealer of Volkswagen in Bulgaria supports the campaign, because the company has been trying to democratize and make mobility accessible and comfortable to everyone. The company believes that being a good driver does not depend on whether you are a woman or a man. It depends on knowledge, information, experience, confidence, and a safe car.
“We take part in the initiative, because the women in TaxiMe are doing great job and we would be glad if their number grew. We do not judge our drivers by their gender, but by their attitude and skills,” says Hristo Chernev, CEO of TaxiMe.
#ДамиКарат puts the unknown heroes of the daily traffic in the spotlight. Many women make a living out of drivig. There are many female instructors, rally-drivers, professional drivers, women who sell cars. There are mothers who ride their kids each morning and evening. The initiative#ДамиКарат is an homage to all present and future drivers, and to the International Women’s day.
