Two weeks ago, Aisha Addo launched DriveHer, a women-only ride sharing platform. Aisha, a Ghanaian who lives in Toronto, Canada, was motivated to start DriveHer after an experience with a taxi driver left her uncomfortable.

She was in a taxi going from a friend’s house to her home in Mississauga when her cab driver started asking her uncomfortable questions.

It’s a story many women can identify with. She says:

“He was asking me if I lived alone, and for me that was a bit triggering, because I happened to. Then he started asking if I had a boyfriend, and then [there] just started to be some really weird sexual innuendos. I became a bit guarded.

It sort of got me thinking later on, ‘What about the people whose phones are off, or they don’t really have anyone to call?'”

She then called a friend who she asked to stay on the phone with her for the rest of the ride. She made it home safe, but that taxi ride, along with nights as a designated driver for her friends and hearing multiple news of women getting assaulted and harassed, inspired her to create DriveHer.

“Funny enough, the moment we sort of brought out the concept or idea of DriveHer, I think within that week there were five or six incidents of women that have been assaulted or women that have experienced some sort of violence.”

“There’s so many ride-sharing services, let’s not get that wrong, and that’s amazing, but then there was never really any option for women and people that identify as women. What DriveHer is, is providing an option and creating an equitable space where women and people who identify as women have that option.”

Essentially, while the platform functions like every other existing ride-sharing app, it’s unique in that the the app doesn’t allow male passengers or drivers. And, all the (female) drivers go through the police and criminal background checks that are standard for other ride-sharing services and training specific for its service.

1. Credit: konbini.com

Nigerian Athlete, Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteghonor has ran an impressive 22.04 seconds in the 200m race at the Wes Kittley Invitational Track and Field Meet at the Abilene Christian University.

Apart from becoming the new African record, Okagbare’s winning time also becomes the new national record in the women’s 200m. Okagbare’s previous personal best in the event was 22.23secs and was set at the 2014 Eugene Diamond League.

Her feat has erased the 200m women African record held by Mary Onyali-Omagbemi since August 1996.

With her latest exploit, it means that Okagbare at the moment holds the Nigerian records in the women’s 100m (10.79secs) and 200m.

The Wes Kittley Invitational was her first competition of the season as Okagbare did not compete in the indoor season, which started in January.

The 26-year-old is one of the 37 athletes listed by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria to participate at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia, which begins on April 4.

Credit: fabwoman.ng

Renowned Nigeria social media influencers, advocates, celebrities and concerned Nigerians took to the street of Lagos sparking spontaneous protest against rape, assault and domestic violence.
They joined several concerned Nigerians from different sectors of the society to create awareness and encourage victims to speak up.

The seventh edition of the much awaited Walk Against Rape campaign was held on Thursday, March 15th 2018 in support of the ongoing war against rape in the country and in commemoration of the International Women’s Day.

The walk which is aimed at creating awareness and lending a voice to sexually abused persons (particularly women and children) in the society was a huge success as people came out enmasse to participate and speak up against rape.

The hashtag #Walkagainstrape didn’t only dominate social media conversations on Thursday, but it also trended on social media.

The National Coordinator, Walk Against Rape, Esther Ijewere said:

”We appreciate Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his recent declaration of 25 years jail term for rapist and perpetrators of all forms of domestic violence.
However we have this one demand to make and it is for the REJUVENATION OF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND LAWS!, There should be a more transparent justice system to tackle sexual crimes, create and enforce existing laws that protect women from discrimination and violence, including rape, poundings, torture and all forms of verbal abuse. We call on the government to revive the justice system for people to have firm faith in it.

Project Fame Finalist, singer and actress, Immaculate Edache who was also part of the Walk Against Rape said:

” Rape is an unjustified act that is injurious to the human soul. Therefore rape is a crime that shouldn’t be taken lightly”.

The walk cum demonstration started from the Archbishop Vining Memorial church (AVMC) ground and ended at the Ministry of Women Affairs, Alausa, Ikeja.
The feedback, engagement and interaction gotten from the walk indicates that more and more awareness needs to be created in order to combat the scourge of rape.

See more photos below