It had also been on the agenda in Turkey... The "pink bus" era begins in Islamabad

In Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, pink-colored public transport buses are being introduced for the exclusive use of women under the slogan "Fearless and Barrier-Free."

In a statement to the German news agency dpa, Pakistan's Ministry of Education stated that such a practice is being launched to safely transport teachers and students living in villages and towns near the city to and from Islamabad, but that all women will be able to use the buses. It was announced that the services, which will begin next Wednesday, will be free of charge.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Education stated that public transport costs and, in particular, incidents of harassment on public transport vehicles in rural areas have discouraged many girls and young women from attending school.

Stating that there are already school buses in the center of Islamabad that take girls to school for free, the spokesperson emphasized that these buses do not travel outside the city, which is why they decided to implement the new practice. The spokesperson expressed that the Ministry hopes "a large number of girls will return to school."

THE PRACTICE BEGAN IN KARACHI LAST YEAR

In Pakistan, incidents of women being harassed on public transport buses occur frequently. The pink bus practice in the country first began last year in the port city of Karachi. However, the practice in Karachi focuses not specifically on students, but on all women in the city of approximately 15 million people.

In order to prevent harassment against women, women-only carriages have also been introduced on the subways of many major cities, but it is noted that men generally board these carriages as well.

IT HAD ALSO BEEN ON THE AGENDA IN TURKEY

Furthermore, the "Pink Bus" idea has occasionally been on the agenda in Turkey in recent years. The idea in question drew backlash on many platforms, especially on social media, and the Association of Republican Women organized a press statement in response to this practice.

News Source: 12punto