State Minister for Road Transport and Highways Habibur Rashid has said that increasing women's participation in the transport sector is one of the priorities of the present time.
He said, “The presence of women in the transport sector has been limited for a long time due to social barriers and conventional ideas. However, if given the right opportunities and support, women can overcome these barriers and move forward successfully.”
He said this while speaking as the chief guest at the certificate distribution ceremony for women drivers at the BRAC auditorium in the capital on Tuesday.
The State Minister said, “Ensuring employment for trained women drivers is equally important. In this regard, BRAC has created job opportunities for women drivers in various organizations and has also appointed 24 professional women drivers in its own organization. Today's event has created an opportunity for trained women drivers to connect with potential employers, which is a very commendable initiative.”
He said that at the special request of the government, BRAC has been implementing road safety programs since 2001. Through the 13 training centers of BRAC Driving School, which has been operating since 2012, about 12,500 people have been trained in basic driving, 13,500 in safe driving, and 409 as driving instructors.
Habibur Rashid said, “BRAC is also playing an important role in female driver training, motorcycle driving training, research, awareness on the use of quality helmets, post-accident emergency medical services, and ensuring the safety of women and adolescents in public transport and public spaces.”
The State Minister for Road Transport further said, “The government is committed to improving road safety and empowering women. Various initiatives are being implemented to improve technology-based traffic management, develop safe road infrastructure, modernize the public transport system, and create new employment opportunities for women.”
Congratulating the female graduates who completed the driving training, he said, “They have not only chosen a profession, but have set a strong example of women's empowerment in society. A safe, inclusive and equitable Bangladesh can be built when the government, development partners, NGOs and organizations like BRAC work together.”
The event was addressed by Anna Minz, the member of Parliament for Women's Reserved Seats, Mohammad Habibur Rahman, chairman of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), Tamara Hasan Abed, managing director of BRAC Enterprises, Ahmed Nazmul Hussain, director of BRAC's Road Safety Program, and M Khalid Mahmud, project manager.
At the event, certificates were formally presented to 10 women who successfully completed training at BRAC Driving School. They received theoretical and practical education in driving through a three-month intensive residential training. They also received communication skills in English and awareness training on gender and safety.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
