Not just seats

Whenever we take any public transportation, we see that some seats have been set aside for women. It’s been many years since reservation seats for women have been allocated; however, nobody seems to respect the reservation. Most people clearly notice the text or sticker over the reserved seats but simply ignore or disregard it. However, things seem to be changing. 

These days, all public vehicles must strictly abide by the rules. Of late, implementation of reservation seats has been strictly monitored by traffic police at different check points. It’s a bitter truth that we Nepalis need traffic vigilance to follow a simple rule. However, as a result of rigorous monitoring these days, women are seen seated in the front seats with a feeling of pride, utilizing and fully enjoying their rights. 

There are also reservations for senior citizens and people with disabilities, but the biggest concern is undoubtedly regarding women’s seats. As a part of their campaign, traffic police have started taking actions against those who fail to follow the reserved seats rule. Drivers and vehicle assistants are encouraged to let women be seated in their respective seats. Now, men who used to seat in reservation seats have started leaving their seats for women. Since this regulation is being followed, either as out of compulsion or of own volition, it’s definitely a welcome sign.


It’s impressive that traffic police have been encouraging women to enjoy and secure their seat rights. But at the same time a large number of females have expressed dissatisfaction over this reservation. Especially the youths or girl students are dissatisfied or unhappy. To start with, there is no clear provision to distinguish women and girl (mahila or keti); age segmentation is practiced haphazardly. As a result, young girls don’t identify themselves as women. Upon interaction with friends and youngsters, unmarried women said that they are happy introducing themselves as keti and married women as mahila. Young girls feel like reservation of mahila seat is only for married women. 

Moreover, young girls claim they don’t need any reservations. They commute in public vehicles to their college and workplace every day, and find it comfortable to stand rather than enjoy the reservations. They claim that seeking reserved seats creates an inferiority complex. Few of them said, “We are the ones who advocate for gender equality and at the same time we are asked to enjoy this reservation regulation out of compulsion. It’s a kind of discrimination as well.” 

Young college girls claim they have no difficulty in standing but want their mothers or aunts to enjoy the reservation rights. They want to see men leaving seats for pregnant women or mothers carrying small babies. They say that physically strong and active women don’t need reservation seats at all. Rather, physically weak or elderly women are to be allocated with seat reservation. Probably because of this, we see many reserved seats lying vacant or being occupied by men as girls don’t come forward to claim their right. 

Girls are ready to travel standing but want to get rid of abuse and harassment, a common phenomenon in public vehicles. Women have to put up with different sorts of annoying and irritating behavior of males in crowded public vehicles. For many women, journey in public transportation is stuff of a nightmare as they face harassment, mostly sexual, and sometimes mental as well. 

                            
A few are bold to speak up against such abuse whereas many simply put up with it as they fear retaliation for complaining. Young girls are more courageous to raise their voice or question such acts; married or matured women still feel some hesitation. As a result, women cannot enjoy a safe and comfortable journey in public vehicles. Hence, their main concern is ill-treatment rather than lack of reserved seats in public vehicles. 

Reservation of seats is a good initiation. But is it permanent relief? No. It’s only the first step in making public transport comfortable for women, especially the weak or the elderly. Regarding passenger safety, reservation is not a solution at all. Rather the state should focus on addressing the woes of women who become victims of harassment every time they ride a public vehicle. Women would be happier if there could be strict regulations against abuse and harassment in public vehicles. They want to enjoy safe and comfortable transportation. They are ready to stand up, letting men enjoy seats but are not ready to be treated badly. Hence, implementation of strong rules to combat such abuses against women in public vehicles is a must. 

Published on Republica,  2014-08-24

http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=81571