Decline In Public Transportation Affecting Mobility Of Women Workforce

Constant decline in the number of public vehicles across Karachi has not only added to the misery of commuters in general but particularly affected women students and workers with no alternative option for any decent means of mobility.

KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Dec, 2018 ) :Constant decline in the number of public vehicles across Karachi has not only added to the misery of commuters in general but particularly affected women students and workers with no alternative option for any decent means of mobility.

Karachiites from different walks of life discussing the issue in a session arranged by Aurat Foundation registered that the situation was affecting the employment capacities and chances of regular education for many of the girls and women.

Harassment or even violence associated risks for these commuters mainly comprising girl students, factory workers, domestic help, sales women, daily wage earners and even those in need to visit public places or attend essential responsibilities outside their homes were registered to be a growing phenomenon.

Sindh Minister for women Development, Shahla Raza appreciating the organisers for arranging the session leading to much warranted discussion said a proposal would be forwarded to the government to develop a mechanism under which organisations with sizable number of work-force may provide transport facilities to their workers.

She also drew attention of the participants towards decline in the level of confidence among women and girls in Karachi.

Being a Karachiite, Raza said that she and women of her age group and older, 20 years ago or even beyond that period were more confident then the current generation.

"We and our seniors were little reluctant to move with absolute confidence coupled with deep sense of security," said the former student leader.

"Is it not ironical that presently girls constitute 70% of regular students of Karachi University and there is also a sizable number of them in NED University yet we find them using private pick and drop facilities," she said reminding that this was previously availed only during school days by vast majority of Karachiites.

The issue is serious and have to be handled on sound footing, the minister said.

Earlier Manizah Said Khan in her presentation discussed details of the UN Women Supported project, "Women Safety Audit in Public Spaces - 2013".

The exercise to be undertaken with the support of Aurat Foundation in all six districts of Karachi along with the districts of Khairpur and Dadu, was said to help supplementing policy making process with regard to women empowerment.

Nuzhat Shirin, Chairperson, Sindh Women Status Commission, Nisha representing the transgender community of Karachi; Coordinator, Urban Resource Centre, Zahid besides senior police officer Shahla and activists Shahida Sajid Ali, Malka Khan, Anis Fatima, Rubina Brohi and other also forwarded their submissions on the occasion.