There is an unmistakable pride in Bhargav’s voice when he describes his ‘mummy’, Aloka Bora.

“Mummy has given everything for us. We are from a humble background, and she ran a paan stall to save for my college. Papa was already driving with Uber for three and a half years, and recently mummy bought a bike and joined Uber Eats! We have a competition in the house now,” he says with a smile.  

Bhargav has recently earned a Bachelor’s degree in Technology (B.Tech.) from National Institute of Technology, Silchar in the north eastern state of Assam, and is now giving back to the community as a teacher in Guwahati.

Aloka’s story is symbolic of a larger narrative of people utilising the gig economy to create a stronger future for themselves and their families. The macro case for economic participation is clear: when women work, economies grow. This economic equality is good for business, creates economic competitiveness and improves social indicators.

According to a McKinsey report, advancing women’s equality can add $12 trillion to global growth. And while India’s gender equality rank is poor and driven by low economic participation and opportunity, India has improved on 14 out of 17 indicators of women’s agency, attitudes, and outcomes. The report, however, notes that women’s employment is still one indicator where India has some distance to traverse. The case for greater gender diversity in the workforce applies across the gender spectrum.

This is where Ridesharing can change the game. The ridesharing industry is expected to grow eightfold by 2030, and will remove key barriers to participation by providing flexibility, tech-driven safety and more affordable routes to asset ownership. What’s more, gender diverse partners represent a strong, new channel for supply acquisition and will help companies serve a more diverse customer base. And therein lies the key: focusing on gender diversity is no longer a CSR project, but rather a global business imperative.

Uber Bhavishya is Uber India and South Asia’s program to onboard more women and gender-diverse partners. Basis multiple pilots over the past two years, we have devised a value proposition that offers a differentiated earnings, safety and support experience to our gender diverse partners. Today, over a hundred Indian Bhavishya partners earn their livelihood on our platform every week.

These are early days, we have a lot to learn, and there will be challenges. There are still many out there who are against gender equality, and delivering food and completing trips as a woman partner is both tough and risky work. But if there’s one thing we’ve learnt from partners such as Aloka, it is that perseverance pays, and that every delivery and every trip is a seemingly small yet meaningful step in the direction of equality. Here’s to all the Alokas out there, and here’s to them for building a future that is just that little bit brighter and a little more equal, one journey at a time.

Deven Tolia leads our Guwahati business and the East India expansion team.