Taxis for ladies: Putting the brakes on crime in South African city

Transport poverty - inaccessible or unsuitable transport that negatively impacts a person's quality of life - disproportionately affects women and girls due to sexual harassment and abuse. Photo: REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

The Cape Flats, which lies on the outskirts of the popular tourist city of Cape Town, is notorious for gang warfare, and sexual violence is an everyday fear for women taking taxis or using public transport in the area, said Joanie Fredericks.

Launched last week, Fredericks said her taxi service, Ladies Own Transport, had already received calls from women requesting a ride to work that will keep them safe, with some saying they were "smitten" with the idea.