What do you think of women only public transport?

Question

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women-only_passenger_car

very popular in India right now.

Answer 1

Hmm. Tricky. Obviously it discriminates against men and makes all men out to be protential rapists etc. And it is like putting a band aid on a gunshot wound.



However, you need to remember that the only places this has actually come into play are places that have a high-profile problem and have needed to be seen to take steps to address the issue.



In countries where sexual harrassment are rife then, why not? Sure it would be better to address the cultural issues that contribute to the problem, but, if the population wants action and or a solution NOW, then what other option is there? Everyone has the right to travel to and from work unmolested.



I know your personal view is that women 'make up or exaggerate' how much they actually do get harassed, and if you believe the problem is non-existent then obviously you will find the practice of women-only anything offensive and discriminatory.



However, the experience that women have of harassment is obviously going to differ to yours and, on that score, I would be inclined to take their views into account when evaluating whether women-only transportation is needed, rather than your opinion because, quite frankly, you are not the target audience (so to speak).

Answer 2

I have to say that I am somewhat challenged over this issue.



On the one hand, I can see that is may well provide a greater level of safety and security for women - who MUST be living in fear at this moment in CERTAIN PARTS OF INDIA, when travelling on public transport, as is their right.



On the other hand, I have to weigh this against the intrusion of the State into the rights of good men and true to equally travel on that transport.



At the end of the day - I have no objection to women only transport - and I would encourage the men of INDIA to take some positive action and provide perhaps something in the order of the Guardian Angels - since the police etc are manifestly in no position to do this effectively.



Perhaps what is required is some Auxiliary Police Volunteers, properly vetted, who will do this job.

Answer 3

Darkest Star said it best.



Women only public transportation is like putting a band aid on a gun shot wound- It might spare the gunshot victim the trauma of seeing a hole in him/her, but they will still die.



That is a metaphor. The gunshot victim is the culture of the societies mentioned in the links. They are changing.You could say they are dieing and being replaced with a more globally friendly culture.



The bullet represents the catalysts for this change. The media culture in these countries is very rapidly redefining traditional roles for men an women. By making the objectification of women popular and more common. The social & financial ranking of women is increasing in these countries, also putting more strain on traditions that have existed for hundreds of years or more. Widespread hedonism and divorce are turning men into bastards.



I can only speculate about these countries because I focus on the changes in the West.

Answer 4

I would only use it in really dodgy areas or late at night in high risk scenarios. It would be a comforting alternative when I have no other way to get home, but I think it would reflect badly on the male image for those that aren't rapists or what-not.



So protection at a cost. Is it worth it? Probably not in this instance. For starters you usually wouldn't get sexually assaulted on public transport where there is a bus driver and people around. Also, like I said, it wouldn't be necessary most of the time in most areas.



For all the stereotyping that comes with the deal, it probably isn't the most effective way to prevent sexual assault. I would also kind of feel bad for the guy who missed his last bus and couldn't catch the woman's-only one.

Answer 5

At least it's in the countries where violence and abuse against women is high.



I'd still feel a little bothered and degraded if they stopped me from entering the transport system because I'm a man.



But then again, I'd understand why.



I just hope it won't go worldwide. Let it stay in the rotten parts of the world where women are treated badly. Let it stay out from the West and developed countries - Our men are mostly civilised and normal here.

Answer 6

It was brought up in my country recently (a "western" nation) to have a women and children carriage on trains (at night I think) and it got a very "blah" response... I think most would have preferred a security carriage for anyone who wanted it...



But there are a lot of sexual assaults in India at the moment so I get why they are doing it there.





The women only hotel floors are done for business purposes. A friend of worked in a hotel and managed it for that hotel. They put in flowers and "nice touches" (women products) and charged a bit extra for it. Some business women wanted it so they provided it. For business purposes (it made money) not because they were doing it out of the goodness of their hearts or anything...

Answer 7

It is sexist. The reasons for the women only transportation are noble enough; in the main to protect them from sexual assault. However, dealing with it in this manner merely perpetuates the myth and implies that ALL men are capable of such crimes. Better would be to deal with the cultural problems that cause numbers of men in these countries to treat women as illdefined sexual objects and to hold the delusion that it is their right to inflict their lust on women in public. Essentially the idea of women only transportation, or women only anything, is sexist.

Answer 8

Women-only College or neighbourhood doesnt sound like a good idea, esp. for women. They need men. Interacting and communicating with opposite sex is a part of social education. Obviously the women-only colleges are going to miss that.



...and many other things

o_o

Answer 9

It's not just women only public transportation. In Italy there are female only beaches, and there are hotels here in America, that have a floor, that's female only.

Answer 10

Probably because of all the gang rapes happening in India on the news and women have become scared. No point in it here.

Answer 11

It is necessary in some parts of the world, and legal. I would't mind it here in the USA. Despite the obvious legal implications, I don't mind avoiding women whom I don't know. For MY safety and comfort, not theirs'.

Answer 12

Unnecessary.

Answer 13

Ridiculous.

Answer 14

its stupid that would be taking a step back in society



ever heard of the middle east mainly muslim countries where this actually happens women segregation from men look how good thats turning out

Answer 15

It sounds like a good idea, to prevent sexual assault or whatnot. but I feel it's unnecessary in the west.



A better idea is a women only college campus.



That too! and Women only cities.

Answer 16

Sounds good to me

Wait no, i like traveling with my boyfriend

so how about guys with a girl can go on, but no single guys?

Answer 17

I'd prefer guards or conductors on the trains, to stop abuse.

Answer 18

Islamic sharia law of gender separation, reminds me of that.

Answer 19

What is this, 1913?