Several years ago, Uber began a transformative journey centered on improving safety on our platform. By embarking on months of listening sessions with survivors and advocates, we began to understand how Uber could work to be a safer, more survivor-centered company, and how we could channel the scope of our platform to help prevent gender-based violence in our communities.

This led to the launch of our Driving Change initiative, committing $5 million in grant funding over five years to support organizations working to prevent, address, and respond to gender-based violence in the US. Not only have we recommitted these funds every year since, we’ve expanded Driving Change to every continent where Uber is available. 

Last month, we announced $2.6 million (USD) in funding for organizations working to end gender-based violence and advance women’s equity around the globe. This includes $190K USD to four important Canadian organizations.

We’re proud to extend ongoing partnerships with YWCA Canada and WomanACT, and introduce new ones with EVA BC and Le Chaînon. 

Through these partnerships, Uber has been able to address women’s safety across the different facets of our business and beyond. Advocates and survivors have helped inspire dozens of new innovative safety features, survivor support programs, education information modules  for our riders, drivers and customer support agents, and Uber’s first-of-its-kind Safety Report.

Read more about our Driving Change partners below: 

YWCA Canada 

YWCA Canada is Canada’s oldest and largest women’s multi-service organization. YWCA Canada represents 32 member associations whose programs and services create change for 1 million women, girls, and their families. Annually, YWCAs invest over $230 million to support 330,000 women and girls, in 300 communities across Canada. YWCA Member Associations offer immediate assistance to women fleeing violence, provide counselling and referral services, offer violence prevention and intervention programs. Informed by Member Associations, research and trends, YWCA Canada develops resources and initiatives to create systemic change and shift the needle forward on ending gender based violence.

EVA BC (British Columbia)

The Ending Violence Association of BC (EVA BC) is a provincial association based in Vancouver, Canada. They launched in 1992 as the BC Association of Specialized Victim Assistance and Counselling Programs, then changed their name to EVA BC in 2009. Since their start, they have trained and supported more than 300 anti-violence programs and cross-sector initiatives across the province that respond to sexual and domestic violence, child abuse, and criminal harassment.

WomanACT (Ontario)

WomanACT is a policy development and planning body for preventing and responding to gender-based violence. Their work is focused around coordination, education, policy and community mobilization. WomanACT has 27 years of experience in convening leaders, policy makers, anti-violence organizations, communities and women with lived experience of violence to collaborate, advocate and drive change.

Le Chaînon (Quebec)

Le Chaînon offers women safe housing as well as assistance and support tailored to their needs. At Le Chaînon, they take specific actions, with the help of experienced counselors, that promotes women’s return to self-determination and personal and social strengths. Le Chaînon also advocates to make a collective and social stand in order to denounce the inequalities, the living conditions and the different forms of violence experienced by women. Their goal is to promote the defence of women’s rights – with women.