Uber helps Lanka’s women achieve independence

As Women’s celebration month comes to a close, Uber is celebrating the achievements and resilience of Sri Lanka’s women through challenging times. One such inspirational story of resilience is that of Udayangika Antony – an Uber driver-partner who has overcome odds to become a financially independent woman.

Udayangika has faced several challenges early in life: she had an abusive marriage, where her husband first abandoned her and was later incarcerated. She had the responsibility of looking after her three children on her own, with zero financial support. Struggling to make ends meet, she turned to Uber with an aim to start earning and supporting her family.

She took to driving easily and soon became a successful full-time driver-partner on the platform. She enjoyed meeting new people, driving around the city, and yet having the flexibility to choose her own hours.

Today, she is supporting her family financially, and planning her life ahead. Beyond her own family, she now believes that she has a larger responsibility towards the community and is committed to paying it forward.

She is proud of what she has achieved in a short time and appreciates Uber for the role it has played in her journey. “Uber’s support for me has extended beyond providing a safe and empowering platform to work on”, says Udayangika.

She values that she got an opportunity to earn in a traditionally male-dominated field and meet her goals. “Uber has helped me become financially stable so that I could provide for my children and educate them. They can now have a better future. Uber is more than a source of income for me.”

Udayangika’s story is a testament to resilience in the face of adversity. It is also a reminder of the opportunity that the gig economy platforms can play in empowering women by being a catalyst to their financial freedom.