Melbourne to unveil female traffic light signals

Australia's Melbourne city will unveil pedestrian traffic lights depicting female figures as a part of a lobby group's push for gender equality, the media reported.

Ten female pedestrian figures will be installed on traffic lights at the intersection of Swanston and Flinders streets as part of a 12-month trial, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.

The Committee for Melbourne - a non-profit organisation comprising more than 120 Melbourne business and community groups - is behind the move.

Chief executive Martine Letts said having only green or red silhouettes of men discriminated against women.

"The idea is to install traffic lights with female representation, as well as male representation, to help reduce unconscious bias," she said.

Letts said some people had questioned the move, but the programme was backed by Victoria state Governor Linda Dessau.

--IANS

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