Only last week, our media carried the story of a horrible traffic accident in which 13 women teachers and students were seriously injured while they were en route to their school in a remote area. This is just one more in a long list of reports carried almost every day by local papers; all the reports involve women teachers and students traveling long distances to reach schools in remote areas. Hardly a day passes when there is not an accident and in many of them, innocent women lose their lives.

Certainly, last week’s story wasn’t the first of its kind to occur in the new academic year and for sure, it won’t be the last. The accident will soon be no more than a piece of news soon to be forgotten by people waiting for another accident to jolt their memories. Such sad reports have become all too common and people rarely remember them for long. I feel sure if such a tragic accident took place in a densely populated country like India or Egypt it would become a main news item on local TV stations.

We are facing a real human tragedy and yet we stand helpless, unable to address the issue. If traveling hundreds of kilometers every day has become a reality for many female teachers and students, the least that could be done is to ensure they receive every possible means of protection.

We continue to hear about projects for public transport which will solve the problem, and even of details about the type of the vehicles to be used and the qualifications required of future drivers — but no practical, life-saving steps have been taken. We may not be able to see the problem ended completely but we can surely work to minimize its effects.

Everywhere, even in the worst circumstances, there is always a solution to the most intricate and daunting problems It is quite possible provided there is good will, dedication and accountability. But when the matter is left to chance with no one coming forward to take responsibility, the problems pile up and the suffering increases. When are we going to do anything and what can we do?

— Arab News Local Press 7 October 2003