KABUL (SW) – In conversation with Salam Watandar, a number of female commuters in Kabul complained about harassment by transporters and male commuters in public transport.
The female commuters said the transporters often overload the busses and mini-busses resulting in sexual harassment. They said this behavior towards them by the transporters and male commuters has badly tarnished their self-esteem.
Seema and Marjana, two such female commuters, said the men keep glaring at them in public transport, and when they complain against it, they are made to face harsh reactions, and even directed to get down from the bus.
Commenting on this, Zia Gul Aalimi, head of research foundation on women and child rights in public transport, said there has been a slight improvement recently. He said previously, the victims were too shy and afraid to raise their voices in the wake of such harassment, but now they often resist and boldly raise their voices when faced with such situation.
When contacted, Hekmatullah Qawanech, spokesman for the Ministry of Transport, said work is underway on a strategy to overcome this issue. He said time is needed to put in place an exclusive public transport system for women by women in Kabul. Qawanech pronounced this as a social issue, that needs to be resolved through collective efforts.
ENDS
