Amid growing concerns for women’s security in Uttarakhand, newly appointed Vice-Chairperson of State Women’s Commission (Kumaon zone) Amita lohani said that crimes against women have been increasing for the last few years in the State. Several steps will be taken for empowering women through awareness about laws protecting them and providing them training in self-defence. If women’s concerns are not addressed through counselling, then they will be assisted with legal and other means until they get justice, she added.
lohani said that there has been significant rise in violence against women in the state. As per the reports with the state Women’s Commission, around 1,000 cases related to dowry, marital disputes, domestic violence, sexual and mental harassment and other disputes were reported in the last one year out of which around 60 per cent cases were sorted out through counselling by the commission members.
To put check on violence against women in the state, she would take several measures for women’s protection. Emphasis will be laid on conducting awareness campaign about crimes against women at different places, Domestic Violence Act and other laws protecting women at various places in the state. Such awareness campaigns will also be conducted at school and college levels, she added. According to her, domestic violence cases should not be hidden and the victims should approach the local police station initially and the SWC later if their grievances are not addressed there.
She said that women will have to empower themselves and come forward against this problem. Apart from government agencies, social and other NGOs should also contribute towards putting a check on violence against women in the society, she added.