Woman safety in the national Capital is a rising question and definitely the biggest concern for many. The Delhi Police has come up with many measures such as mobile applications, extra police deployment amongst other things to make women feel safe in the city and fight roadside romeos.
A special police unit for women and children (SPUWC) was formed to look after the security of women in the city. The unit is currently headed by special commissioner of police, women safety, airports and modernisation Sundari Nanda. There are over five women cells in each of the 11 districts of Delhi.
A senior police official of SPUWC said their officials who are themselves trained in combat, give special self defence training to women and girls. “The training includes karate and other self-combat techniques such as the quick use of pepper spray and also the training is required for women so that they know what to do when they are facing any sort of danger from men. Our officials are also deployed in extra numbers in civil dresses at many places especially in slums and places where the incidence of crime against women is more,” said the official.
Some places that have identified to be not so safe for girls included Neb Sarai, Mehrauli, Sarojini Nagar, Saket in South Delhi, DTC bus routes, most of the places in outer, North-east and East district, Uttam Nagar, Nangloi, Najafgarh, Okhla etc as these places are more prone to such crimes.
The SPUWC also solves marital problems where women are forced to give dowry or else they are traumatised to such an extent that they commit suicide.
“There are mediation cells of the SPUWC in every district where women come with their marital voes. We settle the matter by confronting the husband with their wives. We counsel both the husband’s family and the wife and try to settle the matter. Victims of rape and molestation or stalking etc are also counseled at the Crime against women cells in all the districts so that they regain confidence in themselves and can face the world again,” said the official. “Untill and unless the mindset of men change, safety of women will always remain a question. Stricter laws can also bring in a change,” said the official.