Groups push for "women only" rail cars

This article was published by the Taiwan Headlines on May 12, 2006. It reports that the Taiwan Railway Administration will soon provide "women only" carriages where female railway commuters can be "free from the worry of being sexually harassed" on crowded rush-hour trains.

The move is in response to requests from lawmakers and women's groups who insist that women should have a safe and comfortable environment on trains. Various lawmakers recently urged the Taiwan Railway Administration to follow the example of Japan, Brazil, Mexico and the Philippines and provide "women only carriages". Women's groups such as the Garden of Hope Foundation and the Taiwan Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence also expressed their support for the idea.

Previously, officials from the Taiwan Railway Administration were not sure about the actual effectiveness of the "women only" carriages. Although most female passengers agreed to the idea of having "women only" carriages, many other passengers, both male and female, claimed that the idea violated human rights. These passengers argued that citizens of a democratic country should be able to choose any train carriage, and that restricting women to one or two carriages on the train was not a democratic action.

Eventually, officials from the Taiwan Railway Administration decided to test-launch the "women only" carriages soon. Signs will be provided to indicate that the carriages are for the exclusive use of female passengers.