Women shouldn't run between offices for justice: Delhi CM Gupta
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta calls for coordinated efforts to ensure women facing violence receive timely justice without running between offices.
Addressing a major summit on social welfare, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta emphasized that women facing harassment or violence must not be forced to navigate a labyrinth of different departments to find justice. She called for a seamless, coordinated approach between police, medical facilities, legal aid, and shelter homes to ensure timely assistance.
Five Priorities for Women and Child Development
Speaking at the two-day National Departmental Summit on Women and Child Development, which was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister outlined a strategic roadmap to strengthen support systems. Gupta identified five key areas of focus to bolster the safety and welfare of women and children:
- Individualized Care: Developing specific care plans for every victim to ensure their unique needs are met.
- Seamless Coordination: Improving the link between emergency helplines and One Stop Centres to prevent victims from being passed from one office to another.
- Accessible Support: Making counseling and legal aid services easier to reach and use.
- Child Protection: Intensifying efforts to prevent child marriages.
- Workplace Safety: Ensuring the effective implementation of laws against sexual harassment in professional environments.
The Impact of Support Systems
The Chief Minister highlighted the significant role that existing infrastructure plays in supporting survivors. She noted that 998 One Stop Centres across the nation have already assisted 15.95 lakh women. Additionally, 431 Shakti Sadans have provided essential support to 3.36 lakh women.
To make these services more effective, Gupta stressed the importance of the 181 Women Helpline, the 112 emergency number, and the 1098 Child Helpline. She urged all institutions responsible for safety to work in unison to provide immediate and effective responses.
Strengthening Safety in Public Spaces
Regarding the specific safety measures in the capital, Gupta detailed several initiatives aimed at protecting women in public and during transit. These include:
- The deployment of bus marshals and the installation of panic buttons in DTC buses.
- Enhanced CCTV surveillance in identified "dark spots" to deter crime.
- The deployment of women police personnel on special buses during evening shifts.
- The introduction of self-defence training within schools.
She noted that closer coordination between transport authorities and the police is vital to making these security measures successful.
Combatting Workplace Harassment and Child Marriage
The Chief Minister also urged for greater awareness of the SHe-Box portal, a digital mechanism that allows women to file and track complaints regarding sexual harassment at their workplace online. She specifically highlighted the need to promote this tool within the private sector to ensure women know their rights and the avenues available to them.
On the issue of child marriage, Gupta advocated for stronger action under the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat campaign. She credited Anganwadi workers in Delhi for their proactive role in identifying potential cases, counseling families, and facilitating timely interventions to stop these practices.
Gupta concluded by stating that protecting the dignity and safety of women, while ensuring they have equal opportunities, is fundamental to the vision of a developed India and women-led development.