Women behind the wheel: Pioneering female drivers in Lebanon

Every day, the phonetic chaos of honking horns, narrow streets and the noise of cars' engines fills the air in Beirut. However, amid all this disorder, a revolution that is not loud is occurring: the women have taken over the driving sector. Moreover, female drivers are laying claim to one of the spheres that have been male-only for a long time, from motorbikes darting to the car's mainstream, smoothly slipping in and out of the city's different sectors.

Hanan Shihab, a moto-taxi operator, is one of the women's presence and awareness on the road. She has been driving on Lebanon's roads since the age of 17. Now that she is an adult, she works with women as her main passengers, on a Honda ride that represents both power and practicality.

Freedom is when I am driving in nice weather, no traffic, fresh air on my face. It’s like flying as a butterfly.

But the path to independence was never easy.

Hanan’s journey began with a gift from her father: a motorcycle. “I was gifted a motorcycle at 17, and ever since, motorcycles have been part of my life,” she said. She only started doing this as a business after retirement. “For a certain private reason, I got an early retirement, and I needed to work,” She explains. Her ride isn’t just about mobility, it’s about safety and trust. She only transports women who observe certain boundaries, ensuring they adhere to her rules of modesty and security.

She recalls the hesitation of friends and family when she took up the job. “Everyone has their own opinion. Even my brother. Even my father. But I cannot let anyone else’s fear stop me,” she says. In a nation where the presence of women in public transportation is minor, Hanan's autonomy is revolutionary. However, she managed to create a tiny circle of women who depend on her, demonstrating that getting around can be a source of strength. Every ride is to some extent an everyday travel, but it teaches resilience at the same time.

Hanan acknowledges that the views of society have transformed just because she, a woman, rides a motorbike. “The iceberg was lifted when they found out that a woman was driving a motorcycle. I encourage other women because they were afraid of harassment. Now they feel safer,” she says. Her work transforms both rider and driver, carving space for women in public life.

Female mobility meets tech: Heya rides

Across the city, Kaseem Raida, founder of Heya Rides, is tackling the male-dominated transport sector from another angle. His app connects female passengers with female drivers, ensuring safety, privacy and opportunity. “I’m an entrepreneur who wanted to launch something new,” Raida explains. The idea sparked when his niece could not order a female driver for a late-night ride home from university. “I realized there was a gap, not just a business opportunity, but a social need,” he says.

Launched in July 2024, Heya Rides trains women through registration, face-to-face car inspections, technical demos and a gradual onboarding process. “We ensure they are good people, responsible, and confident in handling rides,” Raida says. The platform has grown to include around 50 active drivers, covering Beirut and surrounding areas, with plans to expand further.

We’re creating a social network connecting women safely across Lebanon.

The economic impact is tangible. Drivers earn independently, passengers feel secure, and a sense of agency emerges. “Work in a respectful job in Lebanon. It’s safe for you, and you can live in better conditions,” Raida says. The platform iterates its sustainability and balances profitability objectives with a purpose aimed at privileging social impact.

Women redefining the streets

For Hanan and Raida, driving is more than a profession, it is a statement. Each ride, each mile, challenges social norms. Hanan reflects on the personal growth she has experienced: “It changed me because I saw how much better I am in this situation than other people. I help, I serve, I navigate.” Her story demonstrates how autonomy on the road translates into empowerment off it.

Safety, independence, and visibility define this new wave of female drivers. Hanan navigates traffic with care and attention to modesty, while Raida’s platform provides oversight, technological safeguards, and community. Together, they are reshaping mobility, proving that Lebanon’s women can claim the streets with skill, confidence, and compassion.

Male presence in public places is a common situation in the country, but women here are making their own small safe zones and areas of independence. Each ride is like a statement: women in Lebanon are allowed to drive, make their own money, and occupy places that were previously considered off-limits. Wherever they might be, either a biker cutting through the traffic or a driver taking passengers to and from Beirut, these women are not just going around the city, they are helping move society forward.