KATHMANDU, May 28: Working without fear for hours amid the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu´s vehicles under the scorching sun in summer and chilly cold in winter is how Sunita Hamal, a traffic police constable posted at the traffic intersection in Thapathali proves that she is not one of the stereotyped women of Nepal.
The Thapathali road intersection, where Sunita works, employs exclusively women traffic personnel. There are 35 women traffic personnel who work there on a rotation basis.[break]
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Born in Pokhara, Sunita, 29 is married to Sukraraj Shakya, 37. The couple now resides in Kirtipur. Apart from being traffic police personnel, Sunita is a daughter-in-law of the Shakya family and mother of a five-year-old, Arsenal, who studies in LKG at the Kriti Boarding School.
But despite the multiple roles she is playing, Sunita says she doesn´t have any difficulty juggling between a career woman and a family woman.
“My husband is a teacher. He understands my problems and helps me accordingly. Most importantly, there is no objection from my other family members to my career choice,” Hamal said confidently. “My husband even drops me to my office when I have evening shifts,” she added with a smile.
ON DUTY: Sunita Hamal.Bijay Gajmer
After finishing her secondary-level education, she aimed to become a lawyer. However, because of her low economic status she could not go for further studies and joined traffic police with the encouragement from her mother.
Today, Sunita is satisfied with whatever she has gained through this profession. “Every month, I earn Rs 7,000 and that is enough for me and my family as it is an addition to my family income,” Hamal added.
Every morning, Sunita finishes her household chores and her official duty starts at 10 a.m. It lasts till 4 p.m. until which she faces many hurdles disciplining drivers and motorcyclists, mostly men, and sometimes far from polite.
“Educated and civilized people behave properly and demonstrate good manners. But uncivilized people tease us waving hands and showing different signs,” Hamal claimed.
In her twelve years as traffic woman, there was no severe accident but had one bad experience while working in Sundhara, Kathmandu.
”One uncivilized motorcyclist pushed me and my cap fell down. But I wasn´t injured. We took action against him. He was locked for a whole day in Hanumandhoka. He released him with a final warning after he apologized,” she said.
The Traffic Police of Thapathali has a policy of posting traffic woman as in-charge of the streets during day time, when they have more time to spare. According to Indira Basnet, traffic police sub-inspector at Thapathali, most of the families do not allow traffic women to work night shifts, hence the policy.
“For our convenience, office provides us with mask, boot, uniform and raincoat during rainy season,” Hamal told.
