NEFES CAVÎDAN

Tehran- There are 4,830 female taxi drivers across Iran and 2,900 of them working in Tehran alone, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). Most female taxi drivers offer services only to women and families.

‘Female taxi drivers are subjected to harassment and insults’

Nadia Shokofa has worked as a taxi driver in Tehran for about 10 years by breaking gender stereotypes. She often faces sexist discourses while doing her profession. “Male drivers are aggressive to female taxi drivers. They stop our car or do not allow us to get in. They use nasty language against us. This situation is very difficult for us because we have to work for our family. We try to put halal food on the table for our children.”

‘She was threatened after filing a complaint’

Nadia Shokofa filed a complaint to the Taxi Association of Tehran against a male driver, who insulted and sexually harassed her. Instead of defending my rights, the association asked for documents from me. I told them, ‘If a woman had not been subjected to verbal harassment, why would she file a complaint?’ They did nothing to the man but threatened me to send me to Karaj even if I live in Tehran. I had to remain silent.”

‘Women should support each other more’

Nadia Sholofa was subjected to discrimination and then fired. “I am a woman struggling to survive and raise her children by earning halal money but I was subjected to discrimination,” she said. “I have good contact with my customers. We share our thoughts and experiences and listen to each other. I wait for them when they need to buy something. When they do not have money, I do not ask for money from them. Women are oppressed everywhere. I think women should support and stand with each other more.”