MSCW chairperson pushes for women’s safety in trains and workplaces

Maharashtra State Commission for Women MSCW Chairperson Rupali Chakankar has stated that they will follow up with the suburban railway administration regarding the issues faced by women commuters and their various demands including more seats and coaches for women in local trainsDuring a programme in Thane on Tuesday she also emphasised the need to establish a womens complaint redressal committee in every governmentprivate office within three months to address workplace harassmentChakankar presided over the Womens Commission at Your Doorstep programme in Thane on Tuesday A total of 174 complaints were received during the public hearing held here and action was taken by different panels established for this purposeAlso Read Highest no of missing women is from MumbaiLater speaking to the media she mentioned that a delegation from the Women Railway Passengers Association met her and submitted a memorandum outlining various demands These demands included an increase in the number of seats and coaches for women in local trains from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus to Kasara and KarjatMore facilities and security for women in the localsThe delegation also requested CCTV cameras in womens coaches deployment of more police personnel for their safety during travel facilities such as hirkani rooms for lactating mothers to feed their minor children and toilets at all stations Chakankar stated that the commission will follow up to ensure that the railway administration takes these demands positively considering the large number of women who travel for work every day in Mumbai and Thane districtsThe issue of human trafficking also highlightedShe also expressed serious concern over the number of women and girls going missing from the state If these women and girls are not traced there is a fear that they may become victims of human trafficking Therefore counselling for adolescent girls and their parents is necessary she saidShe suggested that the Zilla parishad initiate a drive for this purpose starting from schoolsChakankar also mentioned that although cases of child marriage are fewer in the district some people engage in it secretly by providing incorrect birth dates for girls To prevent such incidents mass awareness needs to be created with the assistance of Anganwadi and ASHA workers accredited social health activists she saidChakankar also urged various departments to work towards monitoring incidents of domestic violence child marriage superstitions as well as maternal and child deathsShe also directed that applicants under the Manodhairya Scheme be given priority in receiving its benefits This scheme provides compensation to victims of rape and other crimes against women174No of complaints raised at the public hearingThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever