Special Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Raman Srivastava, who was present on the occasion, agreed to some of the several recommendations in principle such as the one to hold a national conference every two years, state and central police level conferences for women in police annually and the inclusion of ‘women in police’ as a prominent agenda in the National Police Mission.

“What to speak of women in general, we ourselves do not feel safe in police stations in the company of our male counterparts. So, I suggest that the number of women in the police force be increased by at least 50 per cent as it would also encourage women to visit the police stations, who otherwise are scared of even lodging a complaint,” said a woman police constable.

While admitting that women could not work in difficult areas, participants at the conference said their view was equally supported by senior women officers of central police organistions. But they also felt that this would not hold true if they were provided the right infrastructure and facilities. It was also added that it was women who had to empower themselves and that empowerment and equality go hand in hand.

Special Secretary Raman Srivastava, while presiding over an interactive session on the recommendations, assured support to women in the police force to get the conference recommendations implemented by various state governments. “As this conference was pending from 2008, the next national conference would be held in September 2010,” said Srivastava.

Haryana Chief Secretary Dharamvir, while presiding over the valedictory function said, “The state governments should be given an incentive from the Union Home Ministry in proportion to the number of women personnel recruited by them.”

Mahila Congress holds function to mark Women’s Day
To mark International Women’s Day, a function was organised by the Chandigarh Territorial Mahila Congress at Dhanas village. The president of the Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee B B Bahl, Madhu Bansal, Mayor Kamlesh, councillors Sheela Phool Singh as well as Rita Sharma participated in the function. President of the Mahila Congress Lalit Joshi said the party had taken various steps for the upliftment of women. Some of these include passing of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005, strict rules and procedures against female foeticide, flexibility in employment of women, raise of tax exemptions limit, doubling of widow and destitute pension among other things.

Vital statistics

* Total delegates 193

Number of states and UTs participating 24

* Total central police organisation (CPOs) - 7

* Total IPS officers-28

* Total gazetted officers- 34

* Total inspectors- 19

* Number of sub-inspectors and ASIs- 51

* Number of constables and head constables- 59

Major recommendations

* The National Conference on Women in Police to be held after every two years.

* State-level conference on women in police to be held annually.

* Every police station to have at last 4 women police officials.

* Equal promotional opportunities.

* Child support facilities to be provided especially during training.

* Selection of equipment and uniform that suits the needs of women.

* Need for skilled women trainers to guide the women officers.

* Proportional rewards, recognition and incentives.

* To increase the number of women officers.

* State-level forum for women to provide mentoring, networking and grievance redressal which would meet frequently.

More than 100 donate blood
As part of the International Women’s Day celebration, more than 100 employees donated blood at the seventh camp organised by The Tribune Employees’ Union in the union office here on Monday. Former Mayor of Chandigarh Lalit Joshi inaugurated the camp while a team of doctors from the GMCH Sector 32 conducted the camp.