Dhaka, Bangladesh – A new mobile application named “HELP” (Harassment Elimination Literacy Programme) has been launched to help women facing sexual harassment in public transportation. The app was jointly created by the Broadcast Journalists Center (BJC) and Switch Bangladesh Foundation.
The official launch of the HELP App took place on Saturday at The Daily Star Centre in Dhaka. This project is supported by funding from the European Union, with assistance from Free Press Unlimited and Article Nineteen.
The HELP App is designed to allow women who experience harassment while traveling on buses or other public transport to easily report these incidents. Initially, the app will be implemented as a pilot project on the Boshila to Sayedabad route in Dhaka.
When a report is made through the HELP App, the information will be quickly sent to volunteers. The app also allows victims to directly call the duty officer at the nearest police station. It is also connected to the 999 emergency service. All reports made through the HELP App will be saved and can be used later for legal support. Importantly, users can report incidents anonymously if they wish to keep their identity private.
A key feature of the HELP App is the “Alert” option. If a user presses this button, their real-time location will be immediately sent to volunteers, allowing for quick assistance.
Speaking as the chief guest at the launch event, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Sazzad Ali expressed his concern about the harassment faced by women in various places, including Magura, Dhaka University, and Mohammadpur. He stated that the actual number of incidents is likely much higher than what is reported in the media, as many victims do not come forward due to social and family pressures.
He further mentioned that the HELP App has the potential to send reports directly to police stations, which could then be treated as a First Information Report (FIR). This would allow the police to register cases and begin investigations even if they are not directly approached by the victim at first. The DMP Commissioner assured that the police would provide necessary cooperation to make the HELP App effective.
Sazzad Ali also urged the media to be more sensitive when reporting incidents like rape and advised against repeatedly broadcasting news that could create panic among the public.
Fauzia Moslem, the president of Mahila Parishad, who attended as a special guest, emphasized the importance of highlighting gender inequality and harassment against women to raise awareness. She praised the efforts of rights activists and journalists in this regard.
She believes that involving the community is crucial to stop rape and violence and expressed hope that the HELP App will facilitate this. Mahila Parishad will also try to support this initiative, she added. She also made a powerful statement, saying that “when a woman is raped, the entire society is raped.”
Abdullah Al Saleh, the director of Solution Spin, the company that developed the app, explained that the HELP App is specifically designed for smartphone users in Dhaka city to ensure their safety on public transport. It allows women who are victims of sexual harassment to seek immediate help.
Mainul Ahsan Faisal, the executive director of Switch Bangladesh, mentioned that they are working with schools and colleges to raise awareness among students. While the HELP App is currently a pilot project, they plan to expand its reach in the future in coordination with relevant authorities.
As part of the HELP project, QR codes will be placed on buses operating on the Mohammadpur to Sayedabad route. This will allow women to quickly access help. Additionally, volunteer teams will be formed in educational institutions to assist in emergency situations. Discussions will also be held with transport owners to make the initiative more effective.
Ilias Hossain, the member secretary of BJC, expressed his concern about the widespread sexual harassment faced by women across the country. He stated that instead of just talking or protesting, they have tried to create a solution through the HELP App.
The launch event was presided over by the chairman of BJC, Rezwanul Haq, and moderated by the executive of BJC, Shahnaz Sharmin. The HELP App marks a significant step towards creating safer public transportation for women in Bangladesh.