Increasing incidents of women harassment by mischievous elements at bus stops and in public transport vehicles are being witnessed in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi which need the immediate attention of the authorities.
A police official said the help line of Islamabad Traffic Police (1915) could be contacted in case in regard to any such complaint. He said women could also call the helpline of Islamabad police (15) for immediate assistance. The official said that the response time to any complaint was four minutes and patrolling teams of the relevant police station rush towards the spot after the lodge of any complaint.
A huge number of women, including female students, who travelled every day using public transport, had to face such problems in the twin cities.
This nuisance is doubled due to the foul language used by drivers who, with their vulgar remarks and blatant stares, make travelling for women an agonising experience.
Men driving cars and riding motorcycles harass women waiting for public transport, pretending to offer a lift.
Maria, a working woman and a resident of Bhara Kahu, said, “I go to work from my house and have to face harassment at bus-stops by the motorist, especially during the evening when we are going back home”.
She demanded authorities to formulate a mechanism to take strict action against the harassers.
Shabina, another girl, said, “Male students harass women by touching, staring or playing loud vulgar songs, but women commuters usually avoid complaining to anyone due to fear of embarrassment”.
Jamila, a resident of sector I-8/1, said it had become difficult for women to go to work or academic institutions due to the attitude of men at bus-stops.
“Motorists offer lift to women and follow them on roads and footpaths using vulgar language,” she added.
Another student, Shazia, said girls had to travel by public transport as they could not afford pick-and-drop services. She demanded authorities to authorise traffic police to entertain the women complainants at the spot.
“Such harassment at bus-stops creates a sense of anxiety, insecurity and agitation among female passengers and many working women,” she said.
