Liz Dank, Head of Women’s and Personal Safety Public Policy for Uber, said that the Driving Change initiative collaborates with global experts to enhance safety and help bring an end to "gender-based violence." Dank made this statement on Uber's website on January 10, 2024.
According to its website, Uber's Driving Change initiative, launched in 2017, aims to eradicate gender-based violence (GBV) through partnerships with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), safety feature development, and community-focused programs. Key initiatives for 2024 included a global awareness campaign, support for GBV research, and a human trafficking campaign that reached 1.8 million users in Latin America.
Gender-based violence is identified as a violation of human rights causing physical, sexual, mental, or economic harm. It encompasses threats, coercion, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, child marriage, and female genital mutilation. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) states that GBV disproportionately affects women and girls, particularly those who are forcibly displaced.
Uber is described as a technology company providing ride-hailing, food delivery, and other mobility services through its mobile app. Founded in 2009, Uber operates in numerous countries and cities worldwide.
According to the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI), Dank is a policy expert with over 20 years of experience in law and gender-based violence. Prior to joining Uber, she held leadership roles at TikTok and the New York City Mayor's Office where she developed policies and programs to combat exploitation and abuse.