Delhi LG Saxena chairs 19th meeting of task force on women’s safety

New Delhi [India], September 20 (ANI): Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena chaired the 19th meeting of the Task Force on Women’s Safety in Delhi and issued specific instructions concerning various agenda items, said an official release on Friday.

At the outset, reviewing the status of dark spots in the city, which was discussed in the earlier meetings, the LG called for an immediate 15-day special drive in all departments and offices of the Delhi government to identify the available dark spots in the area and set it right within a fortnight.

Considering such sites as the most vulnerable spots, the LG asked for “before and after” pictures of this campaign to be sent to the LG Secretariat so that it can be monitored.

Simultaneously, the Delhi Police was also asked to do a fresh audit to identify the dark spots in the city, especially near bus stops.

It was informed that Safetipin Audit had identified 1,406 dark spots that needed to be illuminated. The MCD Commissioner informed that of these, 1,158 dark spots have been illuminated.

The LG expressing concern, directed the Commissioner, MCD, to complete the work within the next month.

The LG also asked the Task Force to identify 500 women in the city who would be interested in taking up driving public transport so that they can be trained.

This initiative aims to replicate the success of the “Drone Didis” programme. The Transport Department informed that so far there are 660 women drivers in three-wheeler autos, 96 women drivers in DTC buses, along with 1100 bus conductors.

The Transport Department also informed that panic buttons in 1,121 buses have already been installed, but they need to be integrated with emergency call number 112.

The LG instructed the concerned departments, including the Transport Department, to solve this issue and ensure that all safety measures are put in place and made functional.

The LG directed the Transport Commissioner to personally look into the issue and resolve it within a stipulated timeline.

Sharing the data, the Delhi Police informed the LG that 10,000 AI-enabled CCTV cameras have been installed at strategic locations in the city and 15 all-women PCR Vans had been placed to help women in distress.

15 cybercrime police stations have also been made functional in the city. The Delhi Police’s ongoing campaigns, including “Nirbheek,” “Nazuk,” “Shistachar,” and “Parivartan,” are crucial for raising awareness and promoting behavioural change.

The Delhi Police informed that till August 2024, counselling of 18,102 male students has also been done to step in fostering a culture of respect and gender equality.

The LG asked the Delhi Police to ensure that the persons in the PCR vans remain alert to deal with it in real-time in case any untoward incident takes place.

Saxena directed that all the floors of office buildings, hospitals, and educational institutions must be monitored with proper data collection, and washrooms in all such buildings must be made clean and safe for their use by women.

He also directed the Education Department to expeditiously revise the gender-sensitive curriculum, since the same had been pending for long.

The LG expressed concern over the underutilisation of “Sakhi One-Stop Centers” and called for urgent measures to address funding shortages and improve their functionality.

Saxena underlined that even as policing could deter crime for achieving the larger goal of women’s safety and security, a comprehensive change in social mindset and the basic approach of men towards women needed to be brought about.

He stressed the need to augment campaigns of sensitising young and adolescent boys through gender workshops and suitably amended curricula by the Education Department and other concerned agencies, with the view of mitigating social mores and practices that encourage objectification of women.

Those present in the meeting included the Chief Secretary, and senior officials from the Home Department, Delhi Police, MCD, Transport Department, AR Department, Law Department, Health Department, Education Department, Revenue Department, and PWD, apart from other officers of departments concerned