Women on the wheels

Salma Khatun never wanted to do a conventional job. In 2004, she began her career as an assistant loco master (driver’s assistant) in Bangladesh Railway, a profession where her male counterparts had a monopoly. Almost eleven years later, Salma is now a sub loco master, all set to become the first female loco master (train driver) in the country.

"This is not an easy field for women. It takes a lot of trial and tribulation to survive here," Salma told Prothom Alo, reflecting on her experience.

However, the more women join this profession, the earlier social perspective regarding this job will change, she believes.

Salma is one of those few women who dreamed of making their mark in a field dominated by men. Currently, 14 women are working as assistant loco masters in various areas of the country. Kulsum Akhter is one of them.

Kulsum, who hails from Chandpur, has a master’s degree in mathematics from Eden College in Dhaka. She joined as an ALM in 2011.

Kulsum is very proud of her job, but she often gets discouraging comments and taunts from people over her choice of work.

"When people say this is a 'man only' job, I feel a little discouraged at times," she said.

Khurshida Akhter, another ALM, echoed the same.

Bangladesh Railway sources said seven women in the east zone and eight women in the west zone are working as ALMs. It takes around 10-12 years’ experience as an ALM to become a loco master. 

Only Salma Khatun, among these 15 women, is experienced enough to drive a passenger train. The total number of ALM is 788, the sources said.

Mohammad Saiful Islam, divisional mechanical engineer of Bangladesh Railway (east), said an ALM has to do a lot of technical works. They have to check the engine on the loco shed (where the engines are kept) before the trains set off. They need to have knowledge about mechanical and electrical aspects of engines, the signal system and small scale repairing and maintenance works as well, he added.

It takes at least eleven years for an ALM to learn the technicalities of train driving properly before becoming a loco master, said Saiful.

Although the women ALMs are as qualified as their male counterparts, most of them are not interested to take the long distance routes. Most are working at the shuttles trains of Demu and Chittagong University.

HarunAr Rashid, chief mechanical engineer of Bangladesh Railway (East), talked about the problems of sending female ALMs on long distance routes.

"In long distance routes, loco masters and ALMs have to stay overnight in a resting area, known as running room, at the station. Right now, we don’t have any running rooms for female ALMs," he said.

Some female ALMs are reluctant about long distance routes considering the security aspects, he added.

Although the ALMs in the east zone are conducting short distance train service, the female ALMs of the west zone are working at the station only, said Abdul Matin, chief mechanical engineer of Bangladesh Railway (west).

Shirin Akhter, a parliamentarian who is also the founder president of Karmojibi Nari, an NGO that works for working women, said gender preference in any occupation is unacceptable.

"State and administrative support should be provided to these kinds of challenging occupations so that more women come forward," she said. At the same time, the women should have the mental strength to stay involved in such jobs, she added.

Umme Salma, an ALM, shares the same idea. "You have to get into this profession with the mentality of working hard," she said.

"Some people might have issues with hardwork, but I don't," Salma told Prothom Alo.

"I love my job, and I want to do it as long as I can work," She said.