Women-Only Transportation Networks Gain Traction in Mexico Amid Safety Fears

For many women in Mexico, a routine taxi ride is fraught with anxiety. Fear and constant vigilance are common companions on every journey. This reality has fueled a growing demand for safer alternatives.

The urgent need for these services was highlighted nationally when President Claudia Sheinbaum was groped in public. She has since vowed to make sexual harassment a crime across all states.

Seeking Safety on the Road

International economics researcher Nina Fuentes knows the danger firsthand. She is a survivor of sexual violence. A rideshare driver once repeatedly pressed her for personal details.

“I felt like I was dying,” Fuentes recalled. She now avoids public transport and standard cab services entirely. Her story is tragically common in a country where, according to reports, an average of 10 women are killed daily.

Many women have turned to women-only subway cars, but this has not fully solved the problem. This gap in safety is being filled by grassroots networks.

The Rise of Feminist Ride-Sharing Networks

Karina Alba, 29, founded the AmorrAs network after the 2022 killing of Debanhi Escobar. Escobar was found dead days after leaving a taxi. The self-managed feminist network offers women-only transportation in Mexico City and its suburbs.

“I decided to create a safe space for women,” Alba stated. Her network now has over 20 women “ally” drivers. They serve more than 2,000 women every year.

Rides are booked in advance through a simple form. Passengers then receive their driver’s name, number, and a reassuring message before the trip.

A Cultural Shift in Mobility

The impact of these services is profound. Dian Colmenero, 38, shared her own harrowing experiences with male drivers. One driver casually told her he had beaten up several women.

Fear fundamentally shapes how women move through the city. Nejoi Meddeb, 30, described always keeping her hand on the door handle, ready to escape. This fear is not unfounded.

In 2022, 23-year-old Lidia Gabriela Gómez died after jumping from a moving taxi. The driver had taken an unexpected route. For a growing number of women, male drivers are simply no longer an option.

These women-only networks are providing more than just a ride. They are offering a crucial sense of security and dignity for women navigating a city, and a country, where their safety cannot be taken for granted.

Info at your fingertips

What is AmorrAs?

AmorrAs is a self-managed feminist transportation network. It provides rides for women, driven by women, in Mexico City and its surrounding suburbs to ensure safety.

How do you use the AmorrAs service?

Passengers book a ride in advance by filling out an online form. Pricing is based on the distance of the journey for transparency and fairness.

How common is gender-based violence in Mexican transport?

Official data for 5 records over 61,713 sex crimes. This includes 8,704 reports of sexual harassment, though many incidents are believed to go unreported.

What was the catalyst for creating AmorrAs?

Founder Karina Alba started the network after the tragic death of Debanhi Escobar in 2022. Escobar was found dead after getting into a taxi.

What legal challenges do victims face in Mexico?

Lawyer Norma Escobar notes that women are often dismissed by authorities. Some have been told their cases are not serious enough to warrant action.