Daijiworld Media Network - Ahmednagar
Ahmednagar, Feb 15: Ensuring the safety and dignity of women is not only the responsibility of the police but also that of families and society, said Vijaya Rahatkar, Chairperson of the National Commission for Women, while addressing a state-level workshop in Ahmednagar on Saturday.
She was speaking at the inauguration of a two-day state-level workshop on “Eve-teasing and Stalking of Women” organised jointly by Snehalaya and the National Commission for Women.
Among those present were Additional Director General of Police (Women Safety) Ashwati Dorje, Dr Sunita Krishnan of Prajwala Foundation, Additional Director General of Police of Telangana Mahesh Bhagwat, Judge Yogesh Paithankar, Advocate Shireen Merchant and Superintendent of Police Somnath Gharge.
Rahatkar said teasing girls and stalking them against their will is a very serious issue. She stressed that girls must immediately inform their parents if such incidents occur.
“Many parents tend to dismiss such matters by saying ‘this happens, ignore it, change your route’. In several households, there is no proper communication between parents and children. As a result, girls hesitate to speak to their parents,” she said.
She added that confiding in friends may also carry the risk of misuse of the situation. In such circumstances, girls feel suffocated, become afraid to step out of their homes, turn introverted and may even suffer from mental health issues.
“In families where girls can openly share their concerns with their parents, they will never become victims of exploitation or abuse,” she asserted.
Founder of Snehalaya, Dr Girish Kulkarni, briefed the gathering about various initiatives undertaken by the organisation for women. He appealed that Valentine’s Day should be observed as “Anti-Stalking Day”, a suggestion that Rahatkar supported.
Vidya Ghorpade and Mansi Chandgadkar presented information about the work carried out under the ‘Snehaadhar’ initiative in Ahilyanagar and Pune. Snehalaya Director Hanif Sheikh outlined details of the organisation’s various projects.
Short films on the subject of stalking, prepared by Neek Cox and Swati Bhatkal, were screened during the event.
During the programme, Snehalaya and participating organisations submitted a memorandum to Rahatkar seeking the Commission’s initiative to impose a ban in India on the manufacture and sale of talc-based facial powder products.
Rahatkar clarified that the National Commission for Women is not merely meant to hear complaints but also has the authority to recommend amendments to existing laws and propose new legislation to the Central Government for the protection of women.
She assured that similar workshops on stalking would be conducted across the country and that concrete recommendations would be submitted to the government to take firm action on the issue.