Mexico's Female Drivers Offer Safe Haven for Women in Fear of Harassment and Violence
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In Mexico, where an average of 10 women are killed daily, women's safety on public transport has become a pressing concern. For international economics researcher Nina Fuentes, a rideshare experience went terribly wrong when a driver repeatedly asked her about her Valentine's Day plans and phone number. 'I felt like I was dying,' she recalled. This incident led Fuentes to abandon public transport and cab services. Following a similar disturbing incident involving Mexico's first female president, Claudia Sheinbaum, the government has vowed to make sexual harassment a crime across all states. However, women are taking matters into their own hands by turning to self-managed networks like AmorrAs. Founded by Karina Alba in 2022, AmorrAs offers women-only transportation in Mexico City and its suburbs. The network has over 20 'ally' drivers who serve more than 2,000 women annually. Rides are booked in advance through a form, with prices based on distance, and passengers receive their driver's name, number, and a reassuring message. For many women, including Dian Colmenero, male drivers are no longer an option. Colmenero shared her experience of facing violence on public transport, including a driver who told her he had beaten up several women. According to the National Citizen Observatory on Femicide, Mexico recorded 61,713 sex crimes in 2025, including 8,704 reports of sexual harassment. Networks like AmorrAs are not only providing safe transportation but also a sense of security for women in movement. Lawyer Norma Escobar collaborates with AmorrAs to provide legal support, highlighting cases where women were dismissed by forensic doctors due to stigma and disbelief. For women like Nejoi Meddeb, who always kept her hand on the door handle ready to flee, AmorrAs has become a lifeline.
