In Jordan, some women face bullying while driving from men without any apparent reason, simply because they are females. This behavior stems from the stereotypical image that society holds about women driving, leading to derogatory comments like „women drivers,“ as reported by women to Ammon news.
One female driver shared her experience with Ammon, stating that a male driver parked his car next to hers and immediately commented, „They made a mistake when they gave you licenses and allowed you to drive cars.“ These negative comments are just one of the challenges that women face due to their gender. Others have reported hearing constant remarks and insults simply because they are behind the wheel.
According to the annual traffic accident reports in Jordan issued by the Public Security Directorate, women are unfairly targeted. In 2020, it was revealed that one woman out of every 1000 female drivers caused an accident with human injuries, compared to six men out of every 1000 male drivers. This disparity highlights the discrimination and bias that women face while driving.
Psychologist Omar Al-Faoury explained to Ammon the reasons behind this bullying towards women drivers, attributing it to social and cultural discrimination. Traditional stereotypes about women in society perpetuate the belief that driving is a „masculine“ task, leading to biases against women’s driving abilities. Despite studies showing no significant difference in driving competence between genders, some cultures resist social changes that promote women’s rights and equality.
Al-Faoury added that lack of awareness and education about women’s rights and gender equality inevitably leads to discriminatory and bullying behaviors towards women engaging in activities traditionally reserved for men, such as driving. This underscores the need for a cultural and educational shift to ensure respect for women and empower them to lead their daily lives without negative comments and gender-based discrimination.
Furthermore, psychologist Fatima Al-Hawarat emphasized that discrimination and bullying against women while driving have multiple causes, often linked to social and cultural norms seeking to limit women’s roles. Women are often viewed as less competent drivers compared to men, perpetuating the misconception that women should have a lesser role in public life, including driving.
To combat these behaviors, raising awareness about gender-based discrimination and its negative impact is crucial. Conducting awareness campaigns and training programs to educate about respect and equality can help mitigate such behaviors. Supporting laws that prohibit discrimination and bullying based on gender and enforcing them can reduce negative behaviors towards women. Developing stricter laws may also contribute to protecting women and providing a safer environment.
Building a supportive community that provides safety and assistance to women facing bullying is essential. Community initiatives and seminars on how to deal with such situations can help reduce bullying incidents and promote a more respectful and safe driving environment for women. Changing the stereotypical image of men and women driving requires multidimensional efforts, including disseminating reliable information about women’s equal capabilities in driving through awareness campaigns and media, promoting positive stories and successful experiences of women in driving, and ensuring non-discriminatory policies in work and training environments.
In conclusion, removing stereotypical images from the media that reinforce the idea of male superiority in driving and focusing on presenting positive female role models in driving are crucial steps. Ensuring the implementation of non-discriminatory policies in work and training environments and providing equal opportunities for women in all leadership-related fields can help build a supportive community that encourages gender equality, mutual respect, and appreciation for individual capabilities rather than discrimination based on gender.