For me, this is no different than emphasizing what women should do to prevent rape (don't go to parties, don't drink, don't run to the store late at night if your kid needs something and you have no car) instead of, you know, taking measures to stop the men who do these things from doing these things. I think it just perpetuates a culture of "she was asking for it".

This sounds good to me. I wish there were female-only metro cars! Then perhaps we'd be seeing fewer of those terrible hollaback stories...

Though men are ultimately responsible for rape, at least in these conditions women don't have to fear for their lives every time they leave the house. Yes, men are responsible, but women's safety comes first.

Well, it's not the best answer. But I too wish there were women-only transportation options in NYC!

durga--that was my concern as well. i understand the need for an immediate solution for women's safety, but it implies that somehow the impetus is on women not be harassed. i can see it now--well why weren't you in a women only train car? that kind of thing...also--aren't men insulted by this? it's basically saying you guys can't control yourself if there's a woman even in your general vicinity...

durga--that was my concern as well. i understand the need for an immediate solution for women's safety, but it implies that somehow the impetus is on women not be harassed. i can see it now--well why weren't you in a women only train car? that kind of thing...also--aren't men insulted by this? it's basically saying you guys can't control yourself if there's a woman even in your general vicinity...

My question is who lobbied for htis solution as a viable alternative to traveling in co-ed cars? Has this come from women, who are actively trying to create societal change, and acknowledge that it will take time--and that this is a temporary solution. Or is it coming from a male-led government, who sees this as a final solution.

I do think that it is a step in the right direction, though. Giving women a safe space to travel, acknowledges that women have the right to move around with out being harrassed...I hope this is part of a long-term strategy that will combat harassment and create an environment, eventually, where segregated transporation is no longer needed.

Make no mistake, I'm definitely concerned about safty, I guessed I am also disturbed by the mentality that exists, pinning it on the woman instead of the man who should take responsibility and know better.

"I don’t know that sex-segregated transportation is a real answer."

No more the ansewer than internment camps for Japaneese-Americans during the second world war.

Comparing (optional, beneficial) women-only transportation to forced interment camps seems both offensive and.. not apt.

In this case I agree with Jessica(surprise! :}) While allowing women to drive is a big step in a muslim country it isn't really what it appears to be. We all know that seperate but equal doesn't fly. Segregation merely excuses the mens behavior, it doesn't make them accept responsibility for their actions(harassment). If you wish to stop harassment in the long run, you must make a negative consequence for it, not just blame it on the women and hide them away even further than they already are.

Negative consequences cannot solve everything. As we see in the US there are already ample reasons to dissuade a woman from pressing charges for rape and sexual assault, for example. Unless you intend on fixing men's behavior, their underlying attitudes toward women AND the legal system / institution of patriarchy in one fell swoop, I still think there's nothing shameful or harmful in allowing women a safe and woman-operated way to get wherever they need to go.

You have to start somewhere, and creating a sphere in which Iranian women can expect to be free from harassment provides a platform from which that expectation can be expanded to eventually include everywhere. You have to walk before you can run, and crawl before you can walk.

durga: I agree with you. How about you and your point of view drop by here:

http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2006/04/09/sassys-survey/

I agree with the "run before you can walk" posters. I see a lot of parallels to disabled paratransit in the US; hopefully the presence of women as drivers will help reduce the resentment and apathy that we see in some of the operators of paratransit programs.

One interesting (to me) parallel is that in both cases, this takes care of the chicken-egg problem. For those who want to fight against transportation being available, it takes away the argument that "those people don't leave home without their chaperones anyway, so why do they need to be able to use public transportation alone?" The next step is to say: "Now we have women going out of the house alone. Maybe we should let them use a less restrictive form of transportation."

Is it unfortunate that the dangers of public transportation for women in Iran can't be wiped out overnight? Yes. But this is at least a step in the right direction.

Perhaps this is off the mark, but I find the idea of women drivers/women riders a bit subversive as well. What do cabbies and passengers in NorAm culture do? They talk. These are women only cabs where men can't overhear the conversation, among women out facing the Persian day instead of being closed up and controlled. Perhaps there will be dissemination of information and connections made that would otherwise stifled on co-ed public transport in a strongly andrarchial society. Who knows what might come of that?

I was just about to write what Niles put so well! I think that putting women in these situations, while I agree is an unfortunate turn to have to take (you're right, Durga), could be the beginning of something powerful. You make the best of a situation, and right now, I think this might be one of the better options for these women. David also started saying that, but I think taking it a step further is an exciting idea. Keep them safe, get them talking. That's pretty damn powerful.

The religion is already sex-segregated. In that context, women are being provided more opportunity, not less.

Combine the power to congregate with the power to travel, and I do think it could be a useful tool. These countries have a long way to go, and, given the cultural differences, I would support anything that expands the ability of women talk, see, and learn things. Not that I am pro segregation as a norm, but it could be seen as more like girls-only-schools. I guess time will tell.