Female Gojek Drivers Taught Martial Arts for Self-defense

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - On Monday, Gojek management teaches its female motorcycle taxi drivers operating in Solo some necessary martial arts techniques for self-defense purposes.

The recently-declared decacorn startup said the program was meant to aid female drivers in facing criminal situations and sexual harassment.

Gojek's regional head for the regions of Central Java, East Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara, Alfianto Domy Aji, said the training was part of the company’s program introduced in 2018.

“The self-defense techniques are exclusively taught to our female partners,” said Alfianto.

Domy said this was the company’s initiative in response to the safety risks often faced by its drivers on the streets, such as robbery and sexual harassment. 

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Partners of another of Gojek’s lengthy line of product, Go Massage, are also taught martial arts since this service was given in closed surroundings.

“They are also at risk of facing challenges such as sexual assault,” said Domy, adding that one of their Gojek drivers was doing the teaching as a licensed martial arts instructor.

A female Gojek driver, Wiwik Wigati, who was present at the launch, emphasized the importance of such program after she was once forced to drop off a troublesome customer. “I myself almost fell victim to sexual assault,” she said.

AHMAD RAFIQ (CONTRIBUTOR)