Women bus conductors are ticketing the change

“Stray dogs don’t scare me. They bark and might bite sometimes and then leave you. But men — these drunkards are worse than dogs. They catcall and harass constantly” says Manisha Sutar who works as a conductor in the Maharashtra State Road Transport (MSRTC) bus. As she shared the nightmares she faces while performing her duty, Manisha says that one needs courage to work in the transport sector.

Transport jobs can be well paid, rewarding and offer long-term career opportunities. Unfortunately, and unacceptably, few women are employed in these jobs and some positions fall below the standard of decent work. One of the barriers to a career in transport is workplace violence states the International Labour Office (ILO) document ‘ Women in Transport Sector’.

Sujata Barge who has worked for the last 14 years as bus conductor has similar stories like Manisha. “ I used to cry every day when I started working. Many passengers were very rude to me as they were not used to seeing a woman as a bus conductor.  I was intimidated by men when I was on night duty”. She adds, “ After working for so many years, now I have learnt a lot. I have learnt to be more assertive and strict with people. Also, how to be gentle when needed”. Sujata’s family was extremely supportive when she decided to continue her work even after marriage. She manages to spend her time with her in-laws as well as her red mother and children.

Manisha Sutar joined the duty a few years later after Sujata. Sujata helped her fit in and get used to the hardships.

The will to work

“One must be strong-willed and courageous if you want to do this job. You meet all types of people and you have to deal with them. You should be mentally prepared to tackle such people” says Manisha. She adds, “ My husband was not supportive in my work”. She decided to separate. She lives on her own in a small flat, and cooks for herself before going to work and after coming back too. “ It is very tiring. It drains you mentally and physically. But when you remember you are doing this for yourself, it gives you power,” she said.

MSRTC introduced the first batch of women bus conductors in the early 2000s. These women conductors get equal pay and other benefits including health allowances. They also get 18-month leave during pregnancy and are also encouraged to do desk jobs when they are carrying.

Transport is still regarded as ‘no place for women’ in many countries/sectors around the world. Women in the transport sector often find themselves stuck in low(er) paid/low(er) status jobs with few, if any, opportunities for career development, according to the ILO.

Changing the situation

For many bus conductors like Manisha and Sujata, life is not easy. They work in the male-dominated sector and male chauvinist surrounding. “ You have to keep going and face everything with courage,” says Manisha.

There are many sectors where women have challenged male dominance and the transport sector is opening up doors for women. Courageous women like Manisha and Sujata are paving the way for other women who want to take up the challenge.

According to ILO the freedom to work – by choice, in conditions of dignity, safety and fairness – is integral to human welfare. Guaranteeing that women have access to this right is an important end in itself.  From an economic perspective, reducing gender gaps in labour force participation could substantially boost global GDP.