Staff Correspondent
To ensure the safety of women in public transport, CCTV cameras have been installed in 108 buses plying in the capital Dhaka. On the opening day, CCTV cameras were installed in 5 bus companies and a total of 108 buses on different routes. The buses are 25 buses of Rajdhani Super Service Limited on Chandra to Demra staff quarter route, 25 buses of Basumti Transport Limited on Gabtali to Gazipur route, 25 buses of Prajapati Paribahan Limited on Mohammadpur to Abdullahpur route. Twenty-five buses of Paristhan Paribahan on Ghatarchar to Abdullahpur route and eight buses of Gabtali Express on Gabtali to Syedabad route have been installed with CCTV cameras in the initial stage. Deepta Foundation, a private organization, is implementing the program funded by the government.
State Minister for Women and Children Fajilatunnessa Indira was present as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of the installation of CCTV in public transport under the 'Safe Travel Management Program for Women in Public Transport' of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs at the Syed Nazrul Islam Convention Center in Gabalati, Mirpur, Dhaka, Sunday (October 16).
State Minister Fazilatun Nessa Indira in the speech of the chief guest said that public transport will be women friendly and safe by installing CCTV. Women will feel comfortable boarding buses with CCTV cameras. Because of the presence of CCTV cameras, common passengers of these buses will also be alert and awareness will be created among them. To ensure the safety of women, CCTV cameras will be installed in all buses in phases. With the installation of CCTV cameras, women will be able to report complaints through 999 and 109. In case of harassment or torture, CCTV footage will be used as evidence and evidence in court.
He said that as a result of the adoption of various women-friendly programs by the government of Bangabandhu's daughter Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, today women's footfall has increased manifold in all fields of education, workplace and development. As a result, women have to go to workplaces and schools, colleges and universities every day. Women use public transport to commute to work and their homes at low cost. But despite taking so many development programs for women by the government, sexual harassment of women is happening in public transport. Women are also subjected to disrespectful behavior while traveling in public transport. As a result, in this age of civilization, women are feeling insecure in terms of movement. These incidents are hindering their free movement. Women in other Asian countries are subjected to harassment in public transport.
State Minister Indira said Bangabandhu first introduced separate buses for working women and students in Bangladesh in 1973. And Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government is using technology to make all public transport in the country safe and women-friendly. If Sheikh Hasina's government is in power, women will be safe. Women's development, empowerment and employment creation. He told the bus owner association that before hiring the drivers, they should be sure about them so that they can be quickly identified if they commit crimes.
Drivers and staff should be trained on how to behave well with passengers.
Md. Hasanuzzaman Kallol, Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, presided over the event and local member of parliament, Bir Muktijoddha Aga Khan Mintu, was present as a special guest. Officials of Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, leaders of Bus Owners Association, bus drivers, staff, helpers and passengers related to transport were also present in the event.
In the President's speech, Secretary Md. Hasanuzzaman Kallol said that Bangladesh is moving towards prosperity today because women have progressed. Ministry of Women and Child Affairs is implementing other and innovative activities by installing CCTV in buses to ensure safety of women in public transport. Zakia K Hasan, Executive Director of Deepta Foundation gave the welcome address.
