Women on public transport: HELP app to fight harassment

In a bid to enhance women's safety on public transport, the Broadcast Journalist Centre and Switch Bangladesh Foundation have jointly launched an app-based service, HELP (Harassment Elimination Literacy Programme).

Funded by the European Union and supported by Free Press Unlimited and Article 19, the app was launched at The Daily Star Centre in the capital yesterday.

Women facing harassment on public transport can seek immediate assistance through the app, said Abdullah Al Saleh, director of Solution Spin, a software company involved with the project.

Initially, it will be piloted on the Basila-Sayedabad route in Dhaka, though some services will be accessible nationwide, he said.

According to the director, the app enables victims to report incidents, which will be sent to volunteers and local police stations.

It also includes an 'Alert' feature that shares the user's real-time location for prompt assistance. Reports will be stored for future legal action, and users can file complaints anonymously.

In future, the app will be integrated with the national emergency service 999.

Speaking as the chief guest at the event, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali urged the media to refrain from using the word "rape" in their reports, suggesting alternatives like "violence against women" or "repression of women".

"I strongly dislike the word 'rape'. I request you not to use it. Instead, use 'violence against women' or 'repression of women'. Even the law is called the 'Women and Children Repression [Prevention] Act'. Let's avoid words that sound unpleasant," he said.

He also urged the media to broadcast such incidents in a 'reasonable' way and refrain from repeatedly highlighting these to avoid creating panic or fear among the public.

Sajjat expressed concern over the rising incidents of harassment against women in the country

"However, the number of cases reported in the media is only a fraction of what actually happens. Many cases go unreported due to social and familial pressures," he said.

"Domestic workers also face various forms of abuse, but 95 percent of these incidents go unreported," he added.

He suggested that if the app could directly report incidents to police stations, it could serve as a First Information Report (FIR), enabling law enforcement to take legal action and initiate investigations.

Sajjat also stressed the need to expand the initiative beyond the capital, assuring the project of DMP's support if required.

Speaking at the launch, Fawzia Moslem, president of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, emphasised the need to highlight gender discrimination and harassment issues.

"To eliminate rape and violence, community involvement is essential. This app can play a significant role, and Mahila Parishad will extend its support," she said.

"In the media, women should be portrayed as human beings, not just as only women or victims," she added.

Mainul Ahsan Faisal, executive director of Switch Bangladesh, said that community awareness is a key part of the initiative, with school and college students being engaged to support the cause.

As part of the project, QR codes will be installed in buses on the Mohammadpur-Sayedabad route, allowing women to quickly access help. Discussions with transport owners are also underway to ensure the app's effectiveness.

BJC Member Secretary Elias Hossain said, "The alarming rise in sexual harassment incidents is concerning. Besides voicing protests, we have sought to offer a solution through the HELP app."

The event was presided over by BJC Chairman Rezwanul Haque and moderated by BJC Executive Coordinator Shahnaz Sharmeen.