Safe railway travel

Without proper training of railway staffers, measures will achieve little in terms of ensuring security

Days after a woman was gang-raped by train staffers on a Karachi-bound train from Multan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed his Strategic Reforms Implementation Unit to tighten safety measures for female passengers. The Unit produced a comprehensive plan to ensure safety for women during their journey as well as at the railway stations. Most of these measures should have been taken long ago to ensure safe travel conditions for female passengers as it could have avoided the crimes that have taken place. Nonetheless, after the ghastly incident of last week, these steps may offer some relief to both accompanied and unaccompanied female travellers.

Pakistan Railways have been asked to deploy Lady Railway Police Force in trains along with a sub-inspector and two lady constables at the railway stations for long journeys. One can hope that the presence of female police officers will reduce the likelihood of catcalling, sexual harassment, and assaults. Importantly, female passengers are more likely to report any suspicious individuals or activity to female police officers. The installation of emergency SOS buttons and CCTV cameras on the train and video surveillance systems at sensitive locations at all railway stations can help monitor and identify not only crimes against women but also reduce the chances of abductions and theft on trains and railway platforms. A mobile application Safar Saheli is also in the works to assist women during their journey and allow them to contact local helplines.

These measures are ambitious; however, without proper training of railway station and train staffers, the measures will achieve little in terms of ensuring security for female passengers. Pakistan Railways must work with private train companies to form training programmes and issue a strict code of conduct for all staffers. There should be penalties for failure to conform to the behavioural guidelines. Importantly, well-trained and disciplined staff will help ensure the smooth integration and implementation of the different measures.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 5^th, 2022.

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