KATHMANDU: Minister for Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities, and Social Security Sita Badi has said the government has no policy of creating a permanent divide between men and women or promoting gender inequality through its free blue bus service for women.
Responding to questions raised by lawmakers during Thursday’s National Assembly of Nepal meeting, Badi clarified that the initiative was introduced as a targeted measure to address immediate safety concerns faced by women in public transportation.
She said women have been experiencing issues such as sexual harassment, insecurity, overcrowding and practical difficulties while using public transport, and the blue bus service was designed to address those challenges.
“The free blue bus service is not a step towards gender inequality. It is a targeted and need-based intervention aimed at reducing existing risks and vulnerabilities,” she said.
Badi stressed that the government’s long-term objective is to create an environment where both women and men can travel safely, respectfully and comfortably in the same public transportation system.
She said the initiative was not introduced merely as a publicity campaign or a short-term popular decision but as a transitional measure to immediately respond to risks faced by women while working towards broader reforms in the public transport sector.
The minister added that the government is committed to making public transportation more gender-friendly, safe, dignified, accessible and accountable.
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