Colombian Mothers at the Wheel: Stories of Life and Struggle Behind the Taxi

In Colombia, driving a taxi or private vehicle has become a way of life for many women who, in addition to being mothers, embrace the wheel as a way of balancing their family responsibilities and personal development. Nancy, Leady, Marta, and Edith are drivers affiliated with the Cabify platform, and their testimonies provide insight into how they face the daily challenges of working, living, and raising their children.

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For Nancy, the decision to drive was the result of a personal transformation. A year and a half ago, after a divorce, she decided to start over, following a family tradition that had surrounded her since childhood. Her father was a truck driver, and in that environment, she grew convinced that women can drive too, regardless of the size of the vehicle or prejudices.

“My children are proud of me,” Nancy assures. “Being a woman in this profession isn't easy, but here we are, proving it every day.” Her daily routine begins at 7:00 a.m. when she drops her children off at school. Then she activates her Cabify account and begins her workday. She works until 4:30 p.m., when she returns home to fulfill her duties as a mother: homework, games, and meals. On Sundays, she dedicates herself exclusively to her children. “We cook together, watch movies, or just relax,” she says. Her oldest son dreams of being a pilot, and she motivates him every day. As a significant coincidence, she recalls that all her children were born on the way to the hospital in a taxi.

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Leady, for her part, is a mother of three who has found driving a source of income and a space for personal freedom . Her day begins after taking care of her household needs and taking her daughters to school. She works from 1:00 pm to 10:00 pm, combining urban traffic with constantly attending to her family's needs. "I like to look and feel good, and exercising helps me have more energy for everything," she explains. Taking care of her physical and mental health is a priority for her. She drives with determination and says that passengers often express relief when they see her arrive. "They tell me they can sleep during the trip, that they're happy I'm behind the wheel. That fills my heart." She also values ​​the safety features the platform offers. " My daughters see me as strong, empowered. They know I'm a mother, but I'm also a hard worker. And that inspires them."

Marta's story, with two decades of experience behind the wheel, shows another side of the profession. She was a teenage mother of three and embraced her independence from a young age. "Technology gives us security today. With Cabify, for example, I choose where I am and what hours I work," she says. She prefers to drive at night and recalls how, for years, her youngest daughter would accompany her in the early mornings, sleep in the car, or wait for her during the trips.

Marta is also part of a network of female taxi drivers who support each other. “I worked hard, but I missed out on a lot. I didn't see my children grow up the way I would have liked, but I always tried to be there.” She reflects this without complaint, with the clarity of someone who has faced challenges with fortitude. Passengers nickname her “the psychologist” for her willingness to listen. “I always carry tissues in the car, in case someone starts crying,” she says. In her case, too, it was a taxi that took her to the hospital when she was about to give birth.

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Edith's experience was marked by an unexpected event. After saving for years with her husband to buy a taxi, he passed away just days after completing the purchase. Faced with the need to support her family and take on the debt, Edith decided to learn to drive and take on the job on her own. With no prior experience, she turned to a colleague who recommended Cabify. "There I found the support I needed to take my first steps."

Edith is a mother of three and grandmother to several grandchildren. Her day begins at 2:00 a.m., when she prepares lunch, checks the car, and gets ready to start work at 4:00 a.m. “I am the head of the household, and so are my daughters. We are a chain of hardworking women.” She is part of a group of five female taxi drivers, among whom she is recognized for her discipline and commitment. “They say they feel safer with a woman. And it's true; we take care of others as we take care of our own.” Despite the pain of losing her husband, she remains steadfast in her purpose. “Work empowers me; having my own money makes me feel powerful.”

According to DANE's 2023 National Quality of Life Survey, Colombia achieved a historic increase in female-led households: 8.2 million, representing 45.4% of all households in the country. In this context, platforms like Cabify represent an alternative for accessing income in a flexible and secure manner. "At Cabify, we work to ensure that more women find our app an option for growth. By encouraging their participation, we strengthen safer, more empathetic, and representative mobility for all," says Carolina Albornoz, Public Relations and Sustainability Manager at Cabify Colombia. The stories of Nancy, Leady, Marta, and Edith allow us to understand the multiple meanings of being behind the wheel: not only as a means of transportation, but as a space for independence, a source of income, an expression of strength, and a symbol of family transformation. PAULA GALEANO BALAGUERA

Portfolio Journalist