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Rubab Jubani becomes Pakistan's first-ever female food delivery rider

Rubab Jubani becomes Pakistan's first-ever female food delivery rider

Foodpanda's newest food delivery rider, Rubab, is breaking all boundaries that make certain professions exclusive to men
Updated 02 Apr, 2019

Stepping right into 2019, women of Pakistan have made it clear to the world that they’re accepting no public spaces that are unwaveringly exclusive to men. Today, Pakistani women are taking charge of their lives and breaking free of all boundaries that restrict their access to opportunities and reduce them to heavily sexist roles.

It is said that approximately half of Pakistan's population is all female, but their involvement in the corporate world is still restricted to roughly 15-20%. This highlights a major gendered gap in the country’s corporate fold.

In an attempt to appreciate the zeal and drive that women in Pakistan have been tirelessly exhibiting, several bias-free businesses and brands have been brewing newer opportunities to help women identify, grow and sustain their inner talents without having to fear societal barriers.

Paving her way with resilience, the passionate and brave female rider Rubab has left behind all boundaries of society that heavily restrict women’s access to select professions.

Meet Rubab, belonging to foodpanda’s fleet of delivery riders now, who has bagged a new milestone for women across Pakistan.

Shielding her spirit of steel with a pink helmet, oodles of confidence and a passion to excel in her career, Rubab will now be seen zooming around streets on her bike, delivering hot and scrumptious meals to foodies. Her journey began as a part-time food delivery rider who aimed to earn a livelihood for herself and her household.

In a society that shuns the idea of women riding bikes and taking up jobs that have essentially belonged to men for ages, Rubab zips through traffic, delivers food to customers and is always greeted by a smile at every step of the way.

Watch Rubab's story here:

For Rubab, and many more women to come, the best part of the food delivery job is that it is convenient and easy, and gets her the safety she needs for her household’s income. To her, the greatest of all strengths comes from her family; the smiles on their faces and the pride in their hearts ensures Rubab puts her best foot forward each day for the job she now adores.

Commenting on how Pakistani women are taking a step forward in the right direction by normalizing bike rides as means of transport, Rubab says, “I had always thought if women can hail bikes as their means of commute, it shouldn’t be all inappropriate for us to take up food delivery jobs as well. I spotted foodpanda’s job ad for riders and filed an application. Within few days, I was called over for registration and that is where my journey of hope began”.

Reflecting on seeing Rubab’s interest in following his fleet, Rider Supply Lead at foodpanda, Faisal, says, “I wasnt expecting a woman to opt for a rider’s job role. I can say I was a little surprised. I asked what made her want to work as a rider and she said she wanted to do it to earn a decent living for herself and her family. I appreciated her passion.”

Exemplary roles, like that of Rubab, teach us how important it is to take a leap of faith and shun all barriers to personal growth. Pakistan’s corporate sector should do all to break gendered occupational boundaries and teach millions of Pakistani women the important lesson of identifying who they really are and benefitting from all possible opportunities spread across all of Pakistan.

If you’ve got motivational stories of your own, head over to these hashtags and let the world know who the real hero is: #ourheroswearhelmets #pinkpower #womenhistorymonth


This content is a paid advertisement by foodpanda and is not associated with or reflective of the views of Images, Dawn.com or its editorial staff.

Comments

Newborn Mar 08, 2019 04:35pm
Pakistan needs tens of thousands of girls like her. Super woman!
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Latifa Mar 09, 2019 02:59am
Brilliant.Food panda should make Rubab a trainer for other girls who may want to join
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AA Mar 09, 2019 03:00pm
LOve this hope more girl will do it
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Javed Iqbal Mar 09, 2019 07:16pm
I love this young lady for her courage. May she achieve high goals in life.
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Jalal Khan Mar 09, 2019 09:00pm
Proud of you!
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Afzal Mir Mar 10, 2019 01:40am
Bravo. It is time that we give women their right make decisions how they live their lives.Due understanding and protection must come from men.
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RDG Mar 10, 2019 05:01am
I hope she gets good tips or are they included in the online payment.
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Rabia Mar 10, 2019 08:57am
You're a pioneer, Rubab. Stay safe and well
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Yousuf47 London Mar 10, 2019 09:15am
Absolutely wonderful that the wasted talent of Pakistan are coming out of the shells to take up jobs which in the past were male dominant. More women should come to the fore to represent all walks of life. In Karachi or perhaps other cities of Pakistan there are no safe pedestrian crossings as both men and women dodge through some fast flowing traffic. Perhaps, more pedestrian crossings should be built especially near schools and women traffic wardens be employed to stop the traffic to help cross such dangerous roads.
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Mr Adil Mar 10, 2019 09:38am
after reading this news i must say we are in 2019 now. happy for her.
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Amjad ali Mar 10, 2019 12:53pm
Love her courage and lots of blessings.
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Amjad ali Mar 10, 2019 12:54pm
This is what Pakistan needs
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Ejaz Iqbal Mar 10, 2019 02:07pm
What a brilliant lady...!! Hats-off for You the food panda really deserves You and You are slap on the faces of sterotypic Mindset...
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Balan Govindaswamy Mar 10, 2019 06:24pm
It's nice, but in india, women drive public bus, auto drivers, train and commercial planes and CEO of Lakhs of companies. Happy for her. Hope she will start bring out unbelievable power of women
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Meow Mar 10, 2019 07:44pm
Very positive. I hope she continues ..
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JITU BISWAS Mar 11, 2019 01:45am
Hi i am agree
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S Ayub Mar 11, 2019 02:01am
Proud of our brave daughter!
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illawarrior Mar 11, 2019 06:20am
@Afzal Mir They already have that right - they need only exercise it - as demonstrated by the woman in this story.
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Akhtar Soomro Mar 11, 2019 09:44am
go great Rubab‘ it’s your world!
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Qirat Mar 15, 2019 04:05pm
WOW
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