Safe Bus Stops for Women campaign launched in the city

Lahore : Secretary Women Development Department Ms. Bushra Aman has said the Punjab government has initiated a number of welfare oriented steps for the wellbeing and protection of the womenfolk. It has provided conducive atmosphere to the women to play their proactive role in the national development.

 She was addressing the inaugural ceremony of Safe Bus Stops for Women at Model Town Bus Stop, here today.

The ceremony was held with the active collaboration of Lahore Transport Company and UNWOMEN. Acting Chief Executive of LTC Ms. Maryam Khawar and Ms. Hooriya Syeda of UNWOMEN also spoke on the occasion.

In her address, Bushra Aman said that WDD has initiated public service awareness messages to stop harassment of women at public places. She said that according to PPC 509 whoever intends to harass/insult the modesty of any woman, utters any word, makes any sound or gesture, or exhibits any object, intending that such word or sound shall be heard, or that such gesture or object shall be seen, by such woman, or intrudes upon the privacy of such woman shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years or fine up to five hundred thousand rupees or both.

She impressed upon the media and the civil society to help raise public awareness about providing congenial atmosphere to the womenfolk in practical life as they are half of the population and the role of womenfolk is very important for national development. Women can register their online complaints through the website of www.wdd.punjab.gov.pk, helpline of Punjab Commission on the Status of Women, phone number 042-111-582-111 of Lahore Transport Company, 15 helpline of Punjab Police and by using the application of Punjab Safe City Authority, she added.

Acting CEO LTC Maryam Khawar, COO LTC Zafar Ahmed Qureshi, Hooriya Syeda and Sara Sheraz also spoke on the occasion and lauded the steps taken for the welfare of the women community by the Punjab government. Maryam Khawar said that campaign posters are being pasted on several bus stops.

Furthermore, awareness posters will also be posted in LTC buses for public awareness. A large number of women, civil society members and the staff of WDD were also present on the occasion.