With the exclusive launching of the first women-only bus services in Nepal this week, women of the capital have breathed a sigh of relief and have become notably at ease with public transportation.
At a time when women are attacked by groping and sexual harassment, as well as other sorts of violence in public vehicles, this new initiative has provided an instant relief to the female passengers, who maintain that this women-only bus service has made them feel respected and special.
 |
| Women-only mini bus service |
"As a student, I need to travel on this route every day, and I often get attacked by the lusty eyes and the unwanted touches from men's body parts. This women-only bus service has helped to get rid of all such abusive acts. It's like receiving special recognition," 21-year-old Kabita Pokharel, an undergraduate student at university, told Xinhua inside the bus.
This new service comes into operation after a World Bank survey of 2013, which showed that 26 percent of young women living in Nepal had experienced sexual harassment in public transport in some form.
Since 1990, 683,847 more vehicles have been added in the Bagmati zone and with the rapid urbanization and growing migration, the number of cases of violence against women has hit an unprecedented amount, according to local media.
As a result, the local news reports about violent abuse, assault, sexual harassment and rape are always high.
To combat such assaults, Bagmati Federation Transport Union, a private transport agency, initiated this women-only bus concept on its 17-seat fleet and deployed the single-sex carriers along the local Kalanki-Balkot route.
Currently, the service is in operation on only four mini-buses during morning and evening rush hours. Though the government had launched priority seats for females known as 'women-only' seats in every public vehicle, the system has not been effectively implemented.
Bishnu Pandey, a homemaker and mother of a three-year-old, told Xinhua, "I often need to travel on public transportation that is full of hassles. Traveling in a public vehicle in rush hour is like a curse, as we can't get empty seats and even a proper place to stand. Such situations are utilized by men with bad, deviant intentions."
Mona Shrestha, a mother of two daughters and a son, is the only woman conductor in the route. She has been working in this job during the last seven months, calling passengers and collecting the travel fares. For the first time, she feels satisfied at the job.
 |
| The only woman conductor in the route |
"Female passengers used to shout and express their anger to us following any abusive acts. But now, passengers say they feel it's a pleasure for them to travel now and that they are happy and content. I feel proud to be a part of this women-only bus service, " Mona Shrestha told Xinhua.
Though this women-only bus service has been regarded as the need of the hour and has been appreciated all around, there are also concerns like mothers and son, husbands and wives and brothers and sisters cannot travel together now as the bus is for females only.
Bharat Nepal, president of Bagmati Federation Transport Union, told Xinhua, "We have launched this service to make the public transport safer for women. We are focused on it so, other aspects haven't been considered at this stage."
Transport entrepreneurs said this service is just in its preliminary phase. They are of the view that the service would be extended to all major routes of the capital on a demand-basis.
Published in Xinhua, Jan 10, 2015
No comments:
Post a Comment