The Metropolitan Police Range, Teku, has introduced a public awareness and monitoring campaign against sexual harassment in public vehicles inside Kathmandu.  

The Women and Children Cell, Kalimati, of the police launched the campaign that includes raising awareness about various forms of abuse and harassment inside public transportation through pamphlets, public service announcements in audio-visual form in micro buses and buses, and by introducing a toll free number where one can report the case to police.

During consultations with various stakeholders, including women and school children, at different intervals of time, a rise in the number of incidents of physical abuse and sexual harassment, especially by female commuters who felt unsafe travelling in public transportation was noted, said Purnima Chand, inspector at the Women and Children Cell. 

“We have started random checking inside public vehicles in Kathmandu since last week by mobilising 10 police personnel at different places at peak hours, during mornings and evenings,” she said. The Police Range has also started holding counseling for drivers and conductors about sexual harassment inside public transportation and how to combat it, along with distribution of information sheets to general public on how to tackle such cases, Chand added. 

In its information sheet, the Police Range has asked people to report any cases of abuse and sexual harassement such as touching sensitive body parts, verbal abuse or teasing that takes place inside public transportation to the police to counter the problem. “Despite growing concerns on sexual offences happening inside the public transportation, when it comes to reporting such cases to police, victims are reluctant. We want people to report the cases and help us to tackle the problem,” she said. 

To facilitate reporting on sexual offences inside public transportation, the police has come up with a toll free number 100 and (01-4286969) and Hamro police App for Android users to help people report the cases to police.