The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), in partnership with international organisations, is embarking on a new campaign to raise awareness on gender equality when using public transportation, with a focus on women’s safety.
According to The Sun, the agency will release a new video called “Public Transport Is Not Gender Neutral: Bring the Light!” made in collaboration with the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) and the World Bank. The campaign will be launched globally in conjunction with International Women’s Day, which falls on March 8.
“SPAD is pleased to collaborate with this two great organisations to spread awareness on gender neutrality among commuters,” said SPAD chief executive officer Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah. “Malaysia is very concerned about inclusiveness, and I’m glad we are taking this approach in spreading awareness on having a safe environment on public transportation.”
The campaign was announced during an event at the ninth World Urban Forum (WUF9), currently being held in Kuala Lumpur with the theme “Cities 2030, Cities for All: Implementing the New Urban Agenda.” The biennale, a non-legislative technical forum convened by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) since 2020, explores the most pressing issues faced by cities around the world.
More than 80% of women experience sexual harassment on public transportation according to a report by UITP, with 90% of cases going unreported; the study also found that most women felt safer on the street compared to public transportation. The global campaign urges the public to spread awareness on social media using the hashtag #PT4ME (Public Transport for Me).
