KUCHING: Southeast Asian superapp Grab has expanded the #SisBoleh programme to empower women within its platform.
In a statement, this launch was part of International Women’s Day events organised by Grab Malaysia in Johor Bahru, Kuantan, and the Klang Valley, which saw attendance from dignitaries such as the Deputy Minister of Women, Family, and Community Development, Datuk Dr. Noraini Ahmad, and Petaling Jaya OCPD Assistant Commissioner Shahrulnizam Ja’afar.
Noraini applauded Grab for championing inclusivity, highlighting the platform’s role in promoting women’s participation in the gig economy by focusing on safety, community support, and dismantling barriers.
Feedback from Grab’s female partners, indicating that societal biases and lack of confidence were major deterrents to their participation, prompted the expansion of the #SisBoleh programme.
Adelene Foo, managing director of Grab Malaysia, expressed optimism about the programme’s potential to create economic independence for women, aligning with Grab’s broader mission of fostering economic empowerment across Southeast Asia.
The enhanced programme features customised training sessions on in-car safety, handling difficult passenger interactions, and vehicle maintenance, accessible via Grab Academy.
Additionally, an exclusive online community for women partners will be established to encourage sharing and discussion on pertinent issues.
In a continued effort to ensure safety, Grab will introduce the ‘Women Passengers Preferred BETA’ feature on March 5, enabling women drivers to be preferentially matched with women passengers.
Women passengers are also encouraged to update their profiles on the Grab app to support this initiative.
