NCW demands allocation for women's issues under separate head

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Mumbai, May 11 (UNI) National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Dr Girija Vyas today said the commission had asked the Planning Commission to allocate funds under separate heads for effectively implementing laws to curb violence against women.

Talking to newspersons after inaugurating a two-day workshop on the implementation of 'Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act' (PWDVA), which came into force from October last year, Dr Vyas said the NCW has enabled amendments in as many as 22 legislations to curb violence against women and more were in the pipeline. There are enough laws but no effective implementation.

She said the commission also suggested gender-specific syllabus right from primary school education to inculcate a sense of equality between men and women in school children in their formative years.

Dr Vyas lamented the delay in implementation of the PWDVA in States since it came into force in October last year. She said Andhra Pradesh had taken the lead because the Inspector General (IG) of Police had initiated steps like issuing circulars to the State police force and organising seminars to create awareness about the new law. Necessary infrastructure like creating posts of Protection Officers have been set up in Andhra Pradesh, he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Maharashtra Women and Child Welfare minister Harshvardhan Patil admitted that the State had not been able to take adequate steps to implement the Act. ''It is because we received the rules and provisions late. We are now in the process of creating awareness and sensitising people on the issue,'' he said.

Mr Patil said his ministry was in talks with the education department for formulating a syllabus in higher secondary schools about awareness on violence against women.

He said his ministry has decided to give additional charge of Protection Officers to government officials like tehsildars, and Block Development Officers on a temporary basis, till formal and permanent appointments were made.

Mr Patil said differences remain in opinion on appointments of Protection Officers. The Bombay High Court has also ruled that there is no need to have Protection Officers for filing of FIRs, but, to submit chargesheet in the Court, they were necessary, he added.

A Government Resolution (GR) will be issued soon for mandatory registration of public hospitals to ensure that they do not deny medical attention to women affected by domestic violence. A policy on shelter homes for women will also be decided in a month's time, he added.

UNI

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