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Mistakes in textbooks: DU prof says won't take part in probe committee PM warns of plot to stir instability Adani abandons $2.5 billion share sale in big blow to Indian tycoon Hajj package cost rises by over a quarter By-polls swept by the blessed ones Buttler, Malan smash tons, and Archer takes six as England grab consolation win over SA Modi's patronisation of Adani and its cost for Bangladesh George Michael, Willie Nelson among Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees ChatGPT introduces subscription plan starting at $20 per month Spot LNG purchase resumes after seven months PM pays courtesy call to president Gill hundred flattens New Zealand as India win series decider Influencers and the ethics of enhancement surgery SC stays HC order seeking list of dead Bangladeshi workers in Qatar World Cup SC chamber judge delivers 160 orders in Bangla
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Editorial

Will buses ever be women-friendly?

Govt must take stern action to stop sexual harassment on public transport
Sat Jun 4, 2022 06:57 PM Last update on: Sat Jun 4, 2022 10:21 PM
Representative Photo: Kazi Tahsin Agaz Apurbo

We're alarmed by a new transport survey that says that 63 percent of the women and girls using public transport in Dhaka have had to face various forms of harassment including sexual harassment. While 47 percent of the surveyed complained of being sexually harassed, 61 percent said they were deliberately touched by bus staff while boarding or getting off buses. Some 25 percent of them said they experienced such touches at least three times in the last six months. Equally disturbingly, a significant percentage of those who had faced sexual or other forms of harassment in public transport later suffered from mental health issues.

These findings show that almost nothing has changed in terms of the safety of women and girls in public transport, although the issue has been in discussion for long. The gravity of the situation can be understood from the fact that a number of women were raped and killed inside the buses, too. Sadly, these incidents have not led to significant action on the part of the authorities. Prior to this survey, several other surveys in the past also revealed the toxic male-dominated environment in public transport where women could hardly raise their voices after being harassed or bullied. Although there has been a practice of keeping seats reserved for women, this is not nearly enough because either the seats are too few for the growing number of women and girls needing public buses, or, as is often the case, these are occupied by male commuters.

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Moreover, reserving a few seats alone will not improve the situation as long as the patriarchal mindset of men remains unchanged. While awareness is needed among male passengers, especially male helpers, to change their mindsets, the existing laws against gender harassment/violence also need to be enforced regularly to hold the perpetrators accountable. Women also need to be given necessary support so that they can file complaints against their harassers. To ensure this, the drivers and helpers, and even police officers, need to be given proper training on gender issues.

Experts have suggested some specific interventions such as increasing the number of women-only buses, installing CCTV cameras and vehicle-tracking systems in all passenger vehicles, putting nameplates in every one of them mentioning the names of drivers and helpers, conducting mobile court drives to punish the harassers, etc. It's time the authorities heeded these suggestions which, we hope, will help ensure a safe environment for female commuters.

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Public transport / Women's safety / sexual harassment / sexual violence / reserved seats for women
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