Safe cities for women

Around 56 percent of women are reluctant to use public transport in the capital due to a lack of proper facilities, revealed a study titled “Gender Responsive City Structure” on March 20, conducted by Action Aid Bangladesh. Covering data from 200 women, the study revealed that 25 percent women find the city roads to be unsafe for them; 22.5 percent claimed to have been harassed on commute and only 5.5 percent can use public toilets with help from men.

Local buses are the most common and affordable mode of transport for struggling women. But most male passengers force bus drivers not to take any female passengers under the excuse that there are no vacant seats in the women's seating area; as if women can travel in buses only if they can sit on their allotted seats. Although the government sanctioned some double-decker BRTC buses to specially cater to women passengers, only a few follow the rule. Reserved seats are particularly rare during peak hours because they are divided between women, children and handicapped persons. Increasing these seats would go a long way in helping female passengers who struggle with their daily commutes.

Meanwhile, we urgently need public toilets that can be used by women. The ones currently in use are completely unhygienic and unsafe.

Women, especially those from low and middle income households, can't participate in the economy if we can't even facilitate their safe and easy movement around the city. We hope the government will take immediate measures to fix this situation.

Zubair Khaled Huq

By email