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Do pink taxis solve a machismo problem or simply add to it?
The central Mexican city of Puebla has recently introduced a new fleet of thirty-five taxis for women only. The taxis are driven by women and are open only to female passengers; they’re also painted a Pepto Bismol pink and contain GPS systems and special makeup mirrors in the backseats because you know, women like to spend most of their time en route meticulously applying lipstick.
The taxis have received an enthusiastic and positive ground level response from women, but Mexican women’s rights organizations find the idea appalling. Vianeth Rojas, a member of the Network For Sexual and Reproductive Rights in Puebla, told the Associated Press “[The taxis] are absolutely not helping eradicate violence against women.”
The new cars are meant to protect women from harassment (or worse) from male taxi drivers, and come in response to frequent complaints from Mexican women of being accosted by male drivers. Yet one has to wonder, is creating a fleet of candy-pink cars with makeup mirrors really a step forward for women’s rights, or is it simply reinforcing the same macho attitudes that lead to these harassment problems in the first place?
Female-only taxis exist in many parts of the world, including Moscow, Lebanon, Colombia, and Dubai, in response to security issues and cultural attitudes about how women can travel and who can accompany them. In cultures in which contact between women and men is strictly regulated, such as that of Dubai, women-only taxis may be unpalatable to foreigners but at least seem fit the cultural context.
But in a country like Mexico, in which there are no taboos against women traveling with men who aren’t their husbands or brothers, the taxis seem to me a band-aid solution to a social problem, not an expression of an inherent cultural belief. The taxis announce, in pink, that women are girly, delicate creatures who need to be protected from the leering tendencies of men, who need a chance to pretty themselves up for their men in the safe company of other women.
The cars also imply that the men who accost women simply can’t help themselves, and should be separated from women instead of asked to change their behavior.
What do you think? Would you ride in a pink taxi? Do you think this is an effective solution to the problem of harassment? Most readers here thought it was a great idea. What do you think, Matadorians?
Kick off the debate below.
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8 Comments... join the discussion!
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I would ride in a pink taxi, in fact I would ride in a flying pickle if it would assure me safety from being assaulted. I agree that we are treating the symptoms and not the cause of the problem. But unfortunately assaults on women are taking place RIGHT NOW – everywhere and all too often. Governments and society at this moment are not interested in dealing with this issue. And so until we all clue in (in all countries) and decide that assaulting women is not cool I for one will take any kind of precaution I can to look after myself, cause no one will.
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I agree with Julie that it’s not so much the *idea* of the taxis as the execution. I look at this as being similar to campus escort services offering to walk women home late at night from parties (which I don’t think anyone disputes is a good idea). But these taxis seem designed to reinforce stereotypes about women and men, and that’s not going to help the underlying problem they are meant to address.
On the other hand, I could see myself using one.
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I live in Bangladesh and environmental issues is a whole other issue besides gender relations. Rising levels is a global issue, not a specific cultural issue. Like Sara mentioned, women empowerment is an issue everywhere, but there are different cultural differences that require different avenues to change.
As per women’s only cars/taxi, India has done the same thing and sometimes has been met with more animosity from men, calling it discrimination.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/16/world/asia/16ladies.html?_r=3&pagewanted=1&hp
But it’s positive discrimination, women who are met with assault everyday can now go to work. Women are discouraged from working outside the home because of the gender bias and quite frankly molestation that happens on public transportation. This encourages women to take outside jobs, which, slowly, creates empowerment for women and understanding and non-emasculation for men. But, my argument is that if you are trying to integrate the sexes, why are you separating them?
http://amandasfulbright.blogspot.com/2009/09/sexual-harassment-is-separate-space.htmlSara, you’re right, though, the make-up mirrors are not helping the whole situation. Hi-lighting specific cars as feminine might just make the cars more of a target. Instead of women’s only taxis, ALL taxis should be monitored more often. I know in Mexico, same in India and Bangladesh, the first step is for police to play an active role in protecting women’s rights.. but we all know how much it costs to currently bribe them.
But what do we do in the meantime? Do we allow women to put themselves in situations that we know are dangerous? Or do we tell them, “well, if you don’t want to get molested (or worse) — stay home” ?? I think the Pink Taxi idea could have been handled better, but at least it’s a step towards the issue. Social change as deep as chauvinism is incredibly slow.
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I think its a great idea, as a solo female traveler IN mexico I would prefer a Pink Taxi over any other. It would releave a lot of worries that are in the back of your mind taking a taxi late at night from a bar, or even end the comments youre sick of hearing during the day. Yes, more needs to be done, and call it a “band-aid” if you like, but its fixing the problem and reducing my stress.. for now anyway.
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I would ride in a pink taxi, but I would also ride in a yellow taxi. Or any other taxi, as long as it (seems) legit. I think that it would have been better (if they HAD to be pink) to just paint old taxis – make up mirrors are a little bit… dumb? It’s one of those “like, seriously?” things. I’m not offended, but I think that more money should be invested into programs stopping the problems than make up mirrors for women only taxis. It seems like common sense.
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I see no problem with a women-only taxi service – after all, taking a taxi is by definition getting into a car with someone you don’t know, and trusting them to take you safely to your destination. For plenty of women, the fact is that that can be a dangerous situation, in any country. I don’t think having taxis for women is surrendering to the idea that men ‘can’t help themselves’ from sexually assaulting women – in fact I think it’s a little ridiculous to suggest that sexual assault may be totally eradicated, and that one day there will be no need for this kind of thing. Of course everything possible should be done in terms of education and the law to prevent it, but sexual assaults will always happen, as will murders, thefts and physical assaults. Anything that helps to provide groups who are in danger with some protection has to be a welcome thing.
I do object to the fact that, because these taxis are intended for women, they choose to make them pink, and install make-up mirrors. I’m a woman, I almost never wear make-up, and I definitely don’t like pink. So I don’t like the execution, but I think it’s a great idea.
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My first reaction is that the taxis, like the women-only subway cars of Tokyo, might even embolden scumbags, since those drivers might say that, by implication, the normal taxis are harassment-friendly.
But as much as the taxi’s existence treats the symptom and not the cause, I still think they are a good idea, because their existence also brings the cause — chauvinism — into the open.
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