Tired of catcalls? Pink Taxi promises to drive women around Cairo peacefully

By Milena Veselinovic, for CNN

Updated 1043 GMT (1843 HKT) April 7, 2016

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Pink Taxi is a Cairo car service with female-only drivers and passengers.
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Pink Taxi is a Cairo car service with female-only drivers and passengers.
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It was started by entrepreneur Reem Fawzy, pictured here, who says that she wanted to created a safe way for women to travel in the Egyptian capital. More than 99% women in Egypt have reported sexual harassment, which often happens in cabs.
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It was started by entrepreneur Reem Fawzy, pictured here, who says that she wanted to created a safe way for women to travel in the Egyptian capital. More than 99% women in Egypt have reported sexual harassment, which often happens in cabs.
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Pink Taxi drivers speak English and hold a university degree.
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Pink Taxi drivers speak English and hold a university degree.
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Pink Taxi has, however, drawn criticism from gender rights activists who say that segregating women isn't the solution to Egypt's sexual harassment problem.
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Pink Taxi has, however, drawn criticism from gender rights activists who say that segregating women isn't the solution to Egypt's sexual harassment problem.
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Pink Taxi 3Pink Taxi 4Pink Taxi 1Pink Taxi 2

(CNN)For many women in Egypt, fending off catcalls and lewd comments is a grim routine of daily life.

According to the UN, over 99% have been victims of sexual harassment which often takes place on public transport or in cabs.
But a car service driven by women, and accepting only female passengers, is promising a secure way to travel in the Egyptian capital.
    Pink Taxi's drivers take only pre-booked rides and know how to navigate Cairo's ferocious traffic jams -- clad in fuchsia uniforms nonetheless.

    Secure spaces

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    "I saw that society needed a safe mode of transportation for women, and I began to think what I could provide," says Reem Fawzy, Pink Taxi's founder.
    Her drivers are required to have a university degree, speak English and have at least two years of experience driving in Cairo.
    Cars are equipped with a GPS and a camera, as well as an SOS button that can stop the vehicle and alert Pink Taxi headquarters in case of an emergency.