Talabat’s first women riders in the UAE are making history by stepping into delivery roles, challenging expectations and demonstrating the growing presence of women across diverse industries.
UAE Women Challenge Traditions as Talabat’s First Female Delivery Riders Hit the Roads.
For these women riders, the role represents more than challenging social expectations; it provides a source of income that helps support their families and secure their children’s education.
UAE Women Riders Find Opportunity and Independence Through Talabat Delivery Roles
For a long time, motorcycle delivery work in the UAE was viewed as a profession mostly associated with men. However, a new group of women riders is changing that perception by entering the delivery sector and showing that professional opportunities should not be limited by traditional expectations.
For these women, joining the delivery industry is not simply about challenging old ideas about gender roles. The decision is also connected to practical goals — earning a stable income, supporting their families, becoming financially independent, and creating better opportunities for their children.
Talabat UAE recently introduced its first group of female delivery riders, with 20 women becoming part of the company’s delivery network. The initiative represents a step towards increasing women’s participation in the logistics sector and creating more diverse career opportunities.
The move reflects changing workplace trends in the UAE, where women are increasingly entering a wide range of professions and taking on roles that were previously less common among female workers. From technology and business to transport and logistics, women are continuing to expand their presence across different industries.
Among those beginning this new journey is Haseena Bibi Mehroban Shah, a mother of four daughters who sees the opportunity as a way to strengthen her family’s future. For her, becoming a delivery rider is not only a career decision but also a personal commitment to providing greater stability for her children.
Haseena believes that every profession has value when it is carried out with honesty and dedication. She said that earning through hard work brings respect and that no occupation should be judged based on assumptions about who can or cannot perform it.
When she first considered taking up the role, some members of her family expressed concerns, particularly regarding safety and the challenges of working on the road. Their worries reflected common perceptions about delivery riding as a demanding profession.
However, over time, their concerns changed as they saw her commitment and determination. Her family eventually became supportive and proud of her decision to take on the challenge and build a career through her own efforts.
Haseena’s experience represents the wider journey of women entering fields that have traditionally had fewer female participants. While the transition may require courage and adjustment, opportunities like these allow women to explore new career paths and achieve greater independence.
The introduction of female riders also highlights the importance of workplace inclusion. By opening opportunities across different sectors, companies can help create environments where individuals are recognised for their skills, dedication, and ability rather than assumptions based on gender.
For the new Talabat riders, the role carries both professional and personal significance. Their work allows them to contribute financially to their households while also becoming examples of determination for their families and communities.
Many women around the world are entering non-traditional professions for similar reasons — to support loved ones, gain confidence, and build a more secure future. Their experiences show that career choices are often shaped by ambition, responsibility, and the desire for independence.
The journey of Talabat UAE’s first female riders demonstrates how workplace opportunities can create meaningful change. By stepping into delivery roles, these women are not only performing a job but also helping reshape perceptions about women’s participation in different industries.
Their stories show that success in any profession comes from commitment, preparation, and perseverance. Whether on the road or in an office, the value of work is determined by the effort and dedication behind it.
As more women explore careers across various sectors, initiatives that support inclusion can help create a more diverse and flexible workforce. For Haseena and her fellow riders, this opportunity marks the beginning of a new chapter — one built on independence, responsibility, and the belief that every honest profession deserves respect.
UAE Female Delivery Riders Share Stories of Resilience, Family and Independence
For some women joining the delivery sector in the UAE, the opportunity represents far more than a new career path. It reflects years of determination, personal challenges, and the desire to create a more secure future for their families.
Haseena Bibi Mehroban Shah, a single mother raising four daughters, said her journey has been shaped by difficult experiences and the responsibility of providing for her children. She recalled periods when managing everyday expenses was challenging, but she believes that her current role has brought renewed optimism and a sense of possibility.
According to Shah, having a stable source of income has changed her outlook and given her family greater confidence about the future. She said that hope and determination have become important parts of her journey, helping her continue despite the difficulties she has faced.
Working as a delivery rider has also allowed Shah to experience greater independence. As a single mother, she said the UAE’s secure environment played an important role in giving her the confidence to pursue this opportunity and take on responsibilities that were once considered unusual for women.
She explained that the positive reactions she receives from customers have encouraged her to continue. The appreciation and respect shown by people she meets during her workday motivate her and remind her that dedication and effort are valued.
For Shah, the role is not only about earning an income but also about demonstrating that women can successfully take on different professional challenges. Her experience reflects the growing number of women entering sectors where they were previously underrepresented.
Another rider, Oliver Nankwanga, also views delivery work as a meaningful part of her life journey. With more than eight years of experience in the profession, including time working in Uganda before moving forward with her career, she has developed strong skills and confidence on the road.
Nankwanga said the profession has provided her with independence and a sense of purpose. As a mother of five children, she sees her work as a way to support her family and create opportunities for her children’s future.
One of the biggest motivations behind her daily routine is ensuring that her children have access to education and essential needs. She said the income from her work helps her manage household responsibilities, cover school-related expenses, and provide stability for her family.
For Nankwanga, every delivery represents more than completing a task. It represents her commitment to her children and her determination to build a better life through hard work.
She hopes that customers who meet her during deliveries recognise her dedication and professionalism rather than focusing on the fact that she works in a field traditionally associated with men.
Nankwanga believes that a person’s ability, commitment, and attitude should matter more than assumptions about gender. She wants people to see her as a hardworking professional who takes pride in providing a reliable service.
The experiences of Shah and Nankwanga highlight the wider impact of creating opportunities for women in different industries. For them, joining the delivery sector is not only about employment but also about confidence, self-reliance, and setting an example for future generations.
Their stories show how work can provide more than financial support. It can offer independence, personal growth, and a sense of achievement. By entering a profession that was once viewed as mainly male-oriented, these women are helping expand perceptions of what roles women can pursue.
The journey has required courage, adaptation, and persistence, but both riders say the rewards extend beyond the challenges. Their careers allow them to support their families while proving that determination can overcome traditional barriers.
As more women explore opportunities across different sectors in the UAE, stories like theirs reflect changing attitudes towards workplace participation. Their experiences demonstrate that success is not defined by the type of job someone chooses, but by the dedication and responsibility they bring to it.
When Suhairah Nantongo chose to enter the delivery profession, her decision was met with hesitation from some people close to her. Family members and friends questioned whether the role would be too demanding and expressed concerns about the challenges women might face in a field that has traditionally been dominated by men.
However, Nantongo viewed the opportunity from a different perspective. Rather than focusing on the doubts surrounding the profession, she saw it as a respectable career that allowed her to work hard, earn independently, and provide for herself and her family.
For her, delivering orders was not defined by gender expectations but by commitment, responsibility, and the value of honest work. She believes that every profession deserves respect when it is performed with dedication and sincerity.
Nantongo’s experience reflects the changing attitudes toward women entering non-traditional careers in the UAE. By taking on the role, she hopes to encourage others to consider opportunities based on their abilities and ambitions rather than limitations created by outdated perceptions.
Her journey highlights the importance of confidence and determination when stepping into unfamiliar areas. Despite the initial concerns from those around her, Nantongo has embraced the profession with pride and continues to prove that women can succeed in roles once considered unsuitable for them.
Women Riders Challenge Traditional Career Boundaries Through Determination and Hard Work
Suhairah Nantongo believes that the way society views professional roles is changing, with more people recognising that ability and commitment matter more than whether a person is a man or a woman. She feels that modern workplaces are becoming more open, allowing individuals to pursue careers based on their skills, interests, and determination rather than traditional expectations.
According to Nantongo, the idea that certain professions belong only to men is becoming outdated. She believes that in today’s generation, success is not decided by gender but by the willingness to work hard, overcome challenges, and remain committed to personal goals.
Her experience as a delivery rider reflects this changing mindset. By entering a profession that has historically seen fewer women participants, she is helping demonstrate that women can confidently take on demanding roles and succeed through dedication and perseverance.
While every female rider has a unique personal story, many share similar values and motivations. For them, work represents independence, responsibility, and the ability to contribute to their families and communities. They believe that the respect given to a profession should come from the honesty, effort, and commitment involved rather than assumptions about who performs it.
These women hope their presence in the delivery sector will encourage more females to explore opportunities in industries where they have traditionally had limited representation. Their experiences show that stepping into unfamiliar fields can create new possibilities and challenge long-standing perceptions.
By choosing careers outside conventional expectations, they are helping create a broader understanding of women’s abilities in the workplace. Their journeys highlight that confidence, resilience, and determination are key factors that allow people to achieve their ambitions.
The growing participation of women in different sectors also reflects wider changes in society, where professional opportunities are increasingly becoming based on talent and capability. For these riders, their work is not only about completing deliveries; it is also about showing that commitment and effort can break through barriers.
Their message is simple: a person’s potential should not be limited by stereotypes. With the right opportunity, support, and determination, anyone can build a successful career and contribute meaningfully to society.
