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Published: 12:11 AM, 17 November 2019

https://dailyasianage.com/news/205374/ict-based-dedicated-transport--system-for-women

ICT-based dedicated transport system for women

M S Siddiqui Transport has risk of accident for human but there can be non-accidental risk, including the risk of violence or harassment. Although both women and men face the risk of violence, most victims are women. Transport safety and security are key factors in women's mobility habits and choices. A large majority of women worldwide feel unsafe in public transport and have been victims of some type of physical or verbal harassment and other forms of violence in public spaces. Women folk feel exposed to physical aggression, sexual harassment or other forms of unwelcome behavior in public transport. This is not only morally unacceptable in itself, it also causes economic and social harm, as well as reinforcing other forms of inequality. The incidence of rape seems very common particularly while travelling at night. Such harassments are discouraging women to attend in economic activities of outside the home, attend educational institution and other activities. It is adding to inequality between man and woman. This is a global problem in all the regions of the world both developed and less developed countries. There were practices of introducing exclusive public transport for women in most of the countries. In England, the 'Ladies Only' compartments of Metropolitan Railway were first introduced in 1874 although the passenger was relatively low. Later on Railway introduced to add additional compartments for ladies upon request for service. But unfortunately the women-only compartments were officially abolished on BR trains in 1977. Again in 2015, the present leader of the Labour Party Mr Jeremy Corbyn has suggested 'women-only' train carriages could reduce sex attacks in the UK. He has suggested to a consultation on women-only train carriages at night to reduce sex attacks in the UK. A number of countries have already had the same idea around the world introduce women-only transport. Japan has introduced Female only carriages in 2000 before new year's celebrations to stop sexual harassment. Eight private train operations and Tokyo's two underground companies launched the carriages. Mexico City also introduced metro carriages for women and children in 2000. All trains now reserve the first few cars for women, while the rest of the trains are mixed. They have also introduced 'pink taxis' - cabs for women complete with a woman driver, alarm button (and make-up kit). Brazil introduced women-only carriages in Rio de Janeiro on commuter and metro trains in 2006. But it has been reported that men didn't respect the women-only carriages and were entering

them. In 2013, there was an aggressive reaction from man while they were requested to leave women-only carriage and report of other incidence of bugging at gun point. The relatively conservative Muslim Iran has introduced metro subway in Tehran keeping some carriages reserves for women. It has become an accepted part of the culture and is spreading to other forms of transport In 2006. They have also launched a gender-segregated bus service in Tehran where women could have their own buses driven by women. The Cairo metro system in Egypt has carriages on trains for women only, which were introduced in 2007 when nation saw the first signs of its sexual harassment problem. The service is reportedly still insufficient for the women in Cairo. Moreover, there are frequent complaints about packed carriages with no room for them to sit down as men occupying those carriages flouting the rules. Jakarta in Indonesia has introduced female-only train carriages in 2012. The orange and pink-seated carriages were at the front and rear of trains, provided by the state-owned railway operator PT KeretaApi Indonesia (KAI). But the scheme only lasted for around seven months before they were scrapped. The problem was that while rush-hour mixed trains were packed and during off hours the female-only carriages were largely empty. It meant the company had little choice but to convert them back into mixed spaces to accommodate passengers, in spite of protests. India also has introduced a number of women-only trains in Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta and Chennai. The man passengers often try to travel in those compartments. These offenders are penalized by the authority for violating the law. In 2010, a group of angry women took matters into their own hands and forced men using the carriages to do sit-ups as punishment. It has improved the situation for the women. India also introduced a women-only cab service in Delhi, and inspired the city to hire its first ever female bus driver in a bid to boost women's safety. It's an issue at the forefront of gender relations in India, following the gang rape and death of a student on a bus, in New Delhi in 2012. Since 2014, the State Railway of Thailand introduced women-only carriages for three of Thailand's most important train routes. The women-only carriages are lilac with dark pink curtains, as opposed to the usual light blue, and are there to help women during the day or night. For sleeper cars, they can be particularly useful. It has been launched after a 13-year-old girl was raped and murdered on an overnight train last year. The idea of women-only transport was introduced after incidence of rape of women in public transports in most of the countries. The man passengers still don't accept such a privilege for women. The bus and train stations are also not safe for women. The environment around transit infrastructure makes a difference in both actual safety and the perception of safety. This means, for example, designing infrastructure with adequate lighting and clear sight lines, and eliminating nooks, corners, and isolated areas that may facilitate assaults. A separate transport is not enough for safely of women as a fundamental cultural change is needed to design transport systems with women in mind. It need urgent actions to make public space safe and secure, including infrastructure and operational improvements, public awareness campaigns, well-trained transport employees, and better reporting systems, combined with a zero tolerance approach to harassment. In order to design women friendly transport systems, the sector needs more women in transport human resources in all level of transport service system. EU is encouraging employment of women in transport sector. Although in Europe still not gender balanced as only 22% of women

working on this sector. Following EU to increase female employment, a government policy required to guide the transport company to implement such policy. It should be supported by broader institutional and societal efforts in order to drive the necessary cultural changes. The employees need proper education and training in this respect. The working conditions and environment, notably related to safety and security of these employees even are also important. Any form of discrimination, harassment or violence in the workplace must be eliminated. The authorities may use innovative technologies. Any new business models can also provide opportunities for improving safety and security for women in transport, both for transport users and workers. Some examples include innovative use of information and communication technologies (ICT) at workplace, transport stations and on board of transport to report cases of harassment. Women's specific needs and preferences have to be assessed and taken into account when developing new technologies and services in transport. Such digitalization and new transport models can provide better, safer, more accessible and more affordable services. The monitoring service is not very expensive,. There may be some other innovative option to serve the women passengers. In Europe a positive initiatives have been developed such as "on demand" bus stops closer to home at night. Some of these actions require time and resources to bring about change, but often relatively small improvements to the travel environment, such as better lighting, can be critical in changing the perception of safety and security. This will require "joined-up thinking", involving policy makers transport planners, architects, transport companies, passengers and psychologists. Bangladesh has introduced limited number of buses for women but those are not sufficient and other issued are not properly address to secure safety of the women passenger. The writer is a legal economist. Email: mssiddiqui2035@gmail.com