DMP moves a notch up in gender equality

Even a few days back, boarding a crowded bus amid heavy vehicular movement in the mad streets of Dhaka was a huge challenge for the female commuters, who could hardly imagine getting any help from traffic police with this hurdle.

Things have, however, begun changing with the introduction of the country's first female traffic police in the city.

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"A few minutes ago, a woman couldn't get on a bus. I signalled the bus to halt and helped the woman board it," said Traffic Sergeant Ismat Tara, hailing from Dinajpur, while performing her duty at Crescent Road intersection on Mirpur Road on Wednesday morning.

A total of 24 females underwent a six month-long training at Bangladesh Police Academy in Rajshahi's  Sharda.

Twenty two of them have been posted as traffic sergeant, a rank equivalent to that of a sub-inspector, at different intersections in the capital since the beginning of this year while 2 others did not join the service. 

"We came up with the idea because it would have a positive effect on ordinary people and the society, when they would see that even women can carry out such challenging jobs," said Nazrul Islam, assistant inspector general (media) of police headquarters, adding that it would boost the confidence of women.

"We are getting positive feedbacks about them. They behave politely with the people while discharging their duties," said Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, joint commissioner (traffic) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).

It looks like the posting of female sergeants has already begun affecting the young girls' psyche.

"School going girls often tell us, Apu [sister], we feel good seeing you at work. We want to grow up and join the police like you," said Traffic Sergeant Lima Chisim, who joined the force on January 3, after graduating from Eden Mohila College in the city.

Hailing from Mymensingh, Lima took up this profession as she liked taking challenge.

Asked how she was treated by others, Lima said none misbehaved with her in the streets, but rather they looked amazed seeing a female working as traffic sergeant.

"At first I used to feel uneasy, but now I feel good helping others when I can," Ismat said, adding that when some rowdy drivers disobey her orders, her seniors help her out then.

Nevertheless, working such long hours out in the sun is not easy for female sergeants.

There are no washroom facilities, and we are to go to nearby places when we feel need of a washroom during our eight-hour duty time, said Rosy Akter, 26, who is posted at Rupashi Bangla Hotel intersection.

"I use the toilets of bus counters on the opposite side of the road," added Ismat.

The problem gets even more severe during the menstrual period when remaining standing for eight hours at a stretch is quite difficult. 

Another downside of this job is the absence of weekly holidays for police department.

"If the government could consider and give us a weekly holiday that would be helpful, said Rosy, who joined the force after completing graduation from a Tangail college.

All three sergeants said they did not face any discrimination in the force because of their gender.