Women’s Safety and Security in Public Transport Development Program and its analysis

The Analysis aims to bring a comprehensive analytical overview of the situation of women and girls in Bangladesh in terms of how existing situation of inequalities and disparities affect their mobility while travelling in public transport. In doing so, it will contribute to the Ministry of Women & Children Affairs (MOWCA) to process of formulating its new Program that is evidence-based and reflects the reality of the current country context in terms of how gender inequality continues to be one of the key disparities in all spheres of daily life. By providing key updated information on specific indicators related to women’s mobility in the country, it showcases persistent inequalities and gender abuse which makes the most disadvantaged and vulnerable women and girls more visible for the purposes of policy decision making, planning, legislation, budgeting and research.

Further, the analysis is contextualized in line with Govt’s commitments under the Convention on the Rights of Women and Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The data used in the report mainly looks at the analysis of results of mainly social indicators elling by public transport (Bus) have been reported including the KII (Key Informant Interviews) and FGDs (Focus Group Discussions and the Monthly reports of the program activities.

The report reveals that without gender equality and a full mobility of women/girls in social and economic spheres including in governance, it will not be possible to achieve sustainable development and rights of women & girls in Bangladesh.
A few of the important findings of this analysis for purposes of Women’s Safe Communication and Management System in
Dhaka City programming include the following:

• There is no significant difference in abusing between women and girls while they travel by public transport in Dhaka city . This finding is common phenomenon. It has been noticed since 2017 where the evidence of violence against women and young girls in public transport has been increased. Reports (ref: BRAC & Jatri Paribahan Samity ) reveals that 23 cases of violence have been occurred and after rape killed. However, one interpretation of the data is that, women and girls have a higher vulnerability when compared with other commuters in public transport. They need safety and security while travelling in public transport, here lies the question of governance issue.
• The positive gender parity index in mobility of women & girls is evident from progressive efforts. While the rate of movement is higher among girls, the rate of abuse and violence in public transport towards their movement is significantly noticeable . This has given an opportunity for the women commuters to raise their voices lower than the males indicating the perceived higher opportunity of female mobility and higher level of education. Furthermore, the mobility rate in public transport is higher among women & girls as from poorer families than among wealthier families. This increase is indicating a link to the higher opportunity of women from poor families (this findings is revealed from few interviews with the female commuters)
• Violence against women and girls, are both crucial challenges for the development process in Bangladesh, affecting all stages of a girl’s life and womanhood. When children reach adolescence or teenage, their sexual and social rights are violated and they are more susceptible to violence, ranging from physical, sexual to psychological. Various types of violence occur against girls and women in their community, and this extends beyond the domestic to the economic sphere as well, on areas like mobility/movement which highlights discrimination in rural and urban areas.

The analysis brings out the need for continued attention to the consequences of gender inequalities while commuting to their work place whether it be garment factory workers, office commuters or schools /college students which requires responses at the political, social, normative culture and economic resources.

The study concludes with specific recommendations to address the broader concerns derived from the current analysis on some of the women rights and development indicators. These recommendations include concerted efforts to raise awareness on gender mobility, education, and an equality based society from rural to urban initiatives up to government policies and plans. It is better to understand the different forms of gender discrimination that lead to inequalities between female life cycles for evidence based policy and more strategic and effective action plan.

There is a dire need to assess the current social sector programmes, like women’s movement and mobility, education, targeted schemes that take into consideration, which will be focused on women empowerment and socio-economic and geographical factors. A key element is empowerment of youth, adolescents, through participation using rights based approaches and elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against girls and women.

Fundamental changes will not happen if the social system and status of girls and women in Bangladesh does not follow globally agreed upon goals for a country’s development and cohesion (as outlined clearly by the UN in the recently launched Sustainable Development Goals). Government sectors require looking at existing policies, investments and monitoring mechanisms to ensure that adequate budgets are being allocated to reduce gaps in access and achievement indicators for girls and women. More specific strategies are needed to highlight and eliminate girls & women abuse by ensuring full enforcement of the laws relating to early marriage, dowry, child abuse, and other forms of abuse, exploitation of young and adolescent girls and women. Increased investments and political commitment to end violence against women & girls must be ensured. The country has to look at creating social awareness and mobilization to targets harmful social practices and norms that put girls at a disadvantage from their infancy. And finally, economic empowerment and leadership opportunities for girls and women will help reduce the exclusion faced by this vulnerable group at present. All these actions require strong collaboration, coherence and partnership building of the government with civil society organizations, private sector, media (electronic and print), and development partners. This will be the focus for key stakeholders to promote gender equality goals which are committed by the Government.

Introduction

Women and girls in Bangladesh are facing increased violence against women (VAW) during the Covid 19 period in every sphere of life. This is highlighting as pre-existing systemic barriers to legal recourse, protection and social services. This crisis comes as Bangladesh marks the anniversaries of two landmark pieces of legislation on gender-based violence (GBV) and enters the final phase of its plan to build a society free of violence against women and girls. Despite this, evidence shows that women and girls faced extreme levels of violence not only home, work place but also in public transport when they commute . It is also apparent that survivors of GBV have little or no access to support or legal recourse.
This information will be based on 100 interviews to documented the obstacles to realizing the Bangladeshi government’s goal of a society without violence against women and girls. The research was conducted during the actions of the project was on going.The report presented key findings, as well as recommendations on how to move forward in near future for the sustainability of the program.

The Bangladesh constitution provides for gender equality in all public spheres, but gender equality has not been achieved yet. Gaps still exist in literacy rates[], formal employment and political representation. After the national election held in January 2018, the representation of women at the Ministers of Cabinet and in the Parliament have increased.

Objectives

Overall objective of the task is Women’s Safety and Security during mobility in public transport and it’s effectiveness.

Women’s participation, ownership and their view about the results of the program i.e installation of CCTV camera in the buses.

Opinion of the other stakeholders (bus owners, Drivers, helpers, local government leaders and women commuters) and sustainability of the program.

The report has been developed towards providing inputs for the development of the task is Women’s Safety and Security during mobility in public transport and it’s effectiveness in Dhaka city. This gender analysis is also informed by international conventions such as the CRC and is in line with global commitments that is Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is critical given that Bangladesh is at a crossroads in its development, with the expectation of graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status by 2021 which has been done.

In developing this document, a holistic, gender-sensitive and equity-focused approach was adopted, providing a comprehensive analysis that synthesizes new data information and observations, laws and trends, and new research accumulated since the intervention planning and implementation process is ongoing. The information was gathered by conducting KII and FGDs. The interviews was conducted face to face with commuters (see also methodology below). Critically, the exercise helps to understand the causes and linkages between gender inequalities and how it affects girls and women, as a consequence. It also highlights the capacities, gaps and bottlenecks in the country’s human, economic and organizational resources and structures, including policies and institutions, to address gender-based violence in an inclusive manner. Likewise, it takes into account how Bangladesh, as an aspiring Middle Income Country (MIC), can translate rapid economic growth into improved women’s outcomes and reduction of gender based violence in every sphere of their life. The development of this process is a consultative process including dialogue with national level stakeholders representing Government, NGOs, research institutes, civil society etc. as relevant.