RIYADH: Uber and Al-Nahda on Monday hosted a special ceremony to honor women who have benefited from the partnership between the two organizations and received a driver’s license from the Saudi Driving School. The ceremony was held at the Riyadh headquarters of Al-Nahda, a Saudi nonprofit organization, where the first group of beneficiaries were honored by prominent guests from Al-Nahda, the Public Transport Authority, the Saudi Driving School and Uber. Rehab Al-Ruwaili, a 24-year- old university student, benefited from this initiative. All her fees to the Saudi Driving School were paid for as she learned to drive and earned her license. “It was a great experience. Al-Nahda gave us so much support both emotionally and financially” she told Arab News. “Getting my driving license has given me confidence that I can help myself and run my own errands without relying on outside help,” she said. “It will help me secure a job, now that I have the means of transporting myself. In the past, we had to rely heavily on others.” Al-Ruwaili said that through its work, “widows, single mothers and unmarried women can support themselves. It made me realize that marriage is not a priority to fulfil our financial needs.” Masaruky’s participants and graduates had the opportunity to meet with staff members from Uber, Al-Nahda and partner organizations that have offered their services in support. During the ceremony, Brooks Entwistle, Uber’s chief business officer – international, said he was “honored” to welcome Masaruky’s participants. Mounira Al-Touq, a member of Al-Nahda’s board of directors, said: “This ceremony marks an important milestone in the partnership between Al-Nahda and Uber.” Fawaz Al-Sahli, vice president of the Kingdom’s Public Transport Authority, thanked Al-Nahda, the Saudi Driving School and Uber for their cooperation in supporting the empowerment of Saudi women. “We are on the road to empowering more women to lead and facilitate their access to economic opportunities across the Kingdom,” he said.