Finally waking up to ensure safety of the ‘fair sex’, and also to combat crimes against them, Punjab Government has decided to take up a slew of measures, including awareness campaign and introduction of “self-defense training and confidence-building courses in schools and colleges”.
For the purpose, the Department of Women and Social Welfare will be the nodal agency and will work as project implementation agency. The decision was taken up in a high level meeting especially convened to discuss the required measures to be put in place for ensuring safety of women. The focus of State Government would be creating awareness among the masses through publicity campaign and seminars in educational institutions. The state government is planning to include the self-defense training and confidence-building courses for women in schools and colleges with an aim to ensure 100 percent safer environment for women.
Women police personnel would launch sustained patrolling to infuse confidence among women and school and college going girls. Besides, the aspects of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) pertaining to domestic violence against women and children would also be included in syllabuses. Punjab Police will also remain observant and high risk areas like bus stands, girl colleges etc would be identified which would be covered with police patrols on priority basis.
The Government has also directed Women and Social Welfare Department to install publicity boards highlighting rights of women, and information regarding the mechanism for lodging complaints, important helpline numbers, websites etc. These boards would be put up at educational institutions and public spaces like bus stands, railway stations and parks.
Municipal authorities and local bodies have been directed to identify old, abandoned buildings, unused spaces to prevent any crime at these locations. It was also decided to strengthen the concept of community policing by building constant coordination with NGOs, universities, general public from different walks of life for prevention of crime against women.
Appreciating the results of 181 helpline, monitored by an ADGP rank officer, the meeting also decided to further delivery of expeditious and effective response. In case of any distress, women can register their complaints on 181 to get a quick response and action. State legal Service Authority would also play a vital role in this campaign of women safety by ensuring that all court premises in the State respectively have publicity boards to promote awareness on laws and legal provisions pertaining to crimes against women.