CCTV cameras have been installed in 100 public transports of the capital to ensure safe and free movement of women. These cameras were installed under the ‘Development Program for Safe Travel Management of Women in Public Transport’ of the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs. This is a pilot program. Private organization Deepta Foundation is implementing the program. The staff of this foundation will observe the CC footage and submit a report to the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs every three months.

State Minister of Women and Child Affairs Fazilatun Nessa Indira, secretary Md. Hasanuzzaman Kallol and other guests.

Deepta Foundation’s implementation of the ‘Development Program for Safe Travel Management of Women in Public Transport’ started in 2018. According to the information provided by the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, this program was approved for a total of 2 crore 63 lakh 19 thousand taka for a period of two years from March 2019 to June 2020. The duration of the program was extended due to the corona pandemic. This is the first time that CC cameras have been installed in 100 public transports.

However, in the notification issued by the Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, it was announced that CC cameras will be installed in 108 public transports of the capital today. This account was given to the Ministry by Deepta Foundation. But the press release of Deepta Foundation has informed about the installation of CC cameras in 100 buses and in the inauguration ceremony it is said that CC cameras will be installed in 100 buses. This different information on the two sides creates confusion.

In the speech of the chief guest, State Minister of Women and Child Affairs Fazilatun Nesa Indira said that women have been empowered in the country. However, if we measure the empowerment of women and men, women’s level is higher and men’s level is lower. The issue of women’s safety should be given importance in empowering women with free movement.

Mentioning that the cases of violence against women have decreased during the tenure of the current government, the state minister said that four accused have been sentenced to death and one has been sentenced to life imprisonment in the Tangail bus gang-rape murder case. In other such incidents the perpetrators are being brought to justice. Having CCTV cameras in public transport will make it easier to bring criminals to justice. And before someone commits a crime, he will think at least once whether he will commit the crime or not.

The state minister urged the public transport owners to screen and appoint bus drivers and assistants. According to him, this will reduce the number of violence in buses. The State Minister also urged to vote for the Awami League-supported candidates in the upcoming parliamentary elections if they do not want to see women being abused in the country.

Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs is the president of the event. Hasanuzzaman Kallol said, not only 100 buses, but gradually the public transport of the capital and the entire country will be brought under the coverage of CC cameras. These cameras do not know men or women separately, only people know. So, if a male passenger is harassed in the bus, he will also get the benefit of these CCTV cameras. It can also be confirmed whether someone was pushed and killed from the bus.

After the official inauguration, the state minister, secretary and others inaugurated the CCTV camera in the Prajapati Paribahan bus, Sabuj Islam Prothom Alo, the driver of the bus, told Prothom Alo that by installing it, it will also come out whether the bus driver or his assistant is really guilty in any incident.

Freedom fighter Aga Khan Mintu, Member of Parliament, spoke as a special guest at the inauguration ceremony. Supporters of this MP were also present at the convention centre. They kept giving party slogans at different levels. Aga Khan Mintu while speaking said, “This is a government event. Not a party event. We are here to help. He also said that the installation of CC cameras in buses will make the travel of women safer. The number of working women will increase.

Ferdousi Begum, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs and Zakia K Hasan, Executive Director of Deepta Foundation, highlighted various aspects of the ‘Development Program for Safe Travel Management of Women in Public Transport’. Sirajul Islam Khan spoke as Basmalik representative in the event.