Dhaka's female traffic sergeants own up to the challenge

The mad streets of Dhaka are not used to seeing women in charge of traffic.

But in a country led by a female prime minister, it is only natural. Women who take charge of the streets here are eager to prove themselves.

Shahana Akhter, who joined as traffic sergeant, was on duty at Bangla Motor when she spoke to bdnews24.com about her experience.

“A lot of regular people stare at women when they perform their duties. Some quietly hold out their papers. The people sincerely cooperate with women sergeants.”

Shahana, who graduated in accounting from Rajshahi College, has been working at Bangla Motor, Shantinagar and Ruposhi Bangla since Jan 6.

Many VIPs travel past Bangla Motor, which demands more caution, she said. “We have to be careful about everything.

“A lot of women fall down from public vehicles, so I get a chance to help them.” 

Women first joined the ranks of traffic police in 2014. Among the 1,837 applicants, 46 were women. Twenty-eight were selected.   

After being trained at the Bangladesh Police Academy in Rajshahi, 22 of them were assigned to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police.

Seniors groomed them – “sincerely”, according to Shahana – after they were assigned to duty.

“This city’s traffic issues can be resolved if everyone follows the rules,” is a frequent statement among the sergeants.

Traffic Sergeant Rozi Akter, who has a degree in Political Science, spoke to bdnews24.com while she was on duty along with two male sergeants at the intersection near Ruposhi Bangla Hotel.

She applied for the post of female sergeant in 2015. Her family did not approve of it at first, but she eventually convinced them.

Rozi and her batch mates are on half-day duty during training period.

While Rozi was speaking, one of her male colleagues pointed out that traffic duty is challenging because there are a lot of issues including intense dust and an acute shortage of public toilets.

Rozi immediately said that women must readily face these challenges to prove their own worth.

Sgt Mahbub Alam, also on duty with Rozi, felt that his female colleagues are eager to learn. They are trained regularly to manage traffic and interact with the public.

Sgt Panna Akter, also a Masters in Social work, was on duty at Motijheel.

“I love adventures, I love challenges. That is why I joined the traffic police force,” she said.

She used to feel uncomfortable when people stared at her but now she just keeps her mind on her duty.

She said, “People ask what our rank is. I tell them we are sergeants and we hold the same rank as our male colleagues.”

Panna confidently says that women are successfully working and moving forward in every sector. They will do great in traffic duty as well.