Readers’ Voice

Women bus service

Dhaka is one of the busiest city in the world. Here thousands of buses are available for thousands of people. In order to reach the destination, usually we have to face various kinds of sufferings. And the women have to endure this problem the most. They suffer much kind of harassment. Many conductors and helpers behave rudely with female passengers, and every so often they get bad proposal and comments from them and from another male passenger. BRTC has enacted some rules for women safety.
We know…first nine seats are dedicated for women, children, and autistic people in private buses. It is not enough for them. The number should be increased. Because most of the time, many men refuse to respect the rule and take over the seats. Besides, the conductors refuse to ascend women passenger by the terms of ‘There are no Women seats’. Even though sometimes they take women passenger in ‘local bus’, it’s turn into an anxious matter for women. For improving the situation, Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) launched a special bus service for women years ago, with 17 vehicles dedicated for them in the capital which was operated only in the morning and evening on 13 routes. After the pandemic hit, the service was suspended. Currently, the service has launched gradually, but all buses are not available. To consider the women safety, the service should increase immediately. As a citizen, I would like to mention that The authority should take proper step to increase the number or at least ensure a relatively safe and harassment-free ride for women.

Shah Bilia Zulfikar
Student of Law and Justice
Jatiya Kobi Kazi Nazrul Islam University

Take action to prevent rape
 
The horror of rape is increasing in Bangladesh. Where is our country going? Where is this society going? After every rape incident, there was a momentary outcry from the public. Voices are raised, protests take place and then it loses momentum. But there is no justice.
It is hoped that the government will take action against rape and implement law strictly by imposing harsh punishments to the accused. It is time to ensure security for women. Let’s build a strong protest against rape. Then peace and order will return to the society and thus, an enlightened society can be formed.

Md. Sagar Islam
Student, Dhaka College