Chapter 9: Bridging the Gap: A Literature Survey on Gender Mainstreaming in Ride-Sharing and Delivery Platforms

The rise of the gig economy has introduced new employment opportunities while exposing deep-rooted gender inequalities, mainly in ride-hailing and delivery services. This chapter explores gender inequalities in the gig economy, with a focus on ride-hailing and delivery services. It looks at the systemic barriers, safety concerns, income disparities and cultural biases impacting women service providers while evaluating solutions for gender inclusivity. An inclusive literature review and contemporary worldwide case studies are utilised in this study. Particular themes cover considerations such as security, algorithmic bias and gendering the workspace. The chapter finds that there is a persistent gender pay gap, physical threats and female underrepresentation in the ride-sharing economy for women drivers and delivery partners. Ride-sharing companies must ensure that gender mainstreaming is paramount in promoting efficient platform algorithms and the future creation of universal policy frameworks for women drivers. Policies must be specifically developed to overcome these structural and practical obstacles. This research offers practical approaches to solving gender-related challenges within the ride-sharing and delivery service markets. It generates strategic recommendations ensuring safe, inclusive and fair environments for women.