Colombo, March 8 (IANS) The Sri Lankan government on Friday launched "all female compartments" in passenger trains in order to ensure the safety of women travellers.

The coaches were unveiled on Friday to mark the International Women's Day, reports Xinhua news agency.

The Transport and Civil Aviation Ministry said the compartments would help minimize harassment faced by women in public transport and special security officers would be deployed in each compartment to prevent any unruly behaviour.

The compartments would also help reduce overcrowding in trains.

In a recent report, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) said that at least 90 per cent of women have faced harassment on trains and buses and incidents were on the rise because victims refuse to speak up.

--IANS ksk/mr