Initiatives such as these while welcome, only serve as short-term solution
LAHORE: The intentions behind the initiative of starting the pink rickshaw service in Lahore are commendable. The initiative has set out with a promise to empower women, enabling them to earn their livelihoods in a respectable manner. However, this can also badly backfire as these rickshaws with female drivers can become easy targets for unwanted attention and mobile snatchers. These female rickshaw drivers can be more vulnerable to harassment and abuse at the hands of their male counterparts.
In my opinion, further segregation will only enhance instances of eve-teasing and the problems related to sexual harassment that women face on a regular basis. The only long-term solution here seems to be to inculcate respect for women in the minds of men for which each pillar of society needs to play its role effectively. Initiatives such as these while welcome, only serve as short-term solutions and do not look at the root causes of the problems that women face.
Durdana Adeel
Published in The Express Tribune, April 5th, 2015.
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