The government should promote women drivers by providing them with jobs at its different offices, said experts on Sunday. Speaking at the programme for promoting women in driving profession, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority chairman Mohammad Nazrul Islam informed that about 350 women had professional driving licences at present all over the country. The function was jointly organised by BRTA and BRAC at BRAC’s driving school at Ashkona Hazi Camp in the capital. A total of 15 women received training certificates in the programme.
BRAC director Ahmed Nazmul Hossain said after BRAC signed a memorandum of understanding with the BRTA on September 2, 2012, the non-government organisation had so far trained 75 women drivers in four batches.
‘Eighteen of these trained drivers are driving vehicles at present,’ he said and urged the government to give job to these drivers for promoting women in driving.
‘If people see women driving vehicle, I think that would be good as they would know that women are now driving,’ said Rokia Afzal Rahman, a former adviser to the caretaker government.
She also urged the government and non-government organisations and general people to come forward for female drivers.
Directorate of government transport’s transport commissioner and additional secretary Mohammad Reaz Ahmed said there was 15 per cent quota for women drivers in public offices.
‘Still no women apply for these posts,’ he said.
At present there are about 7,58,748 male drivers who have professional licenses.
The programme was attended, among others, by BRTA director Mohammad Moshiar Rahman and BRAC chief financial officer SM Koiry.
-With New Age input
