Centre proposes 'Mahila Police Volunteer' in every village

An initiative to appoint special 'mahila' protection officer in every village has been proposed by the Women and Child Development Ministry, in collaboration with the Home Ministry, to provide a link between police and women in distress. The Ministry has invited feedback and suggestions from all states and union territories on the scheme. The special protection officer, called 'Mahila Police Volunteer' (MPV), will be a woman of more than 21 years' old with no political affiliation and a minimum qualification of 12th standard, a senior WCD official said. "This is an opportunity to get women more power. The best of volunteers will be given awards after an year. It will make huge different in women security," the official said.

"MPVs will be appointed in each village. They will play a crucial role in creating community engagement to address violence against women by informing police about any unpleasant behaviour or instances against women or girls and missing children," he said. 

The WCD Ministry has held consultations with the Home Ministry to finalise guidelines on appointment of MPVs in the state police forces. The MPVs will be provided training in counselling and legal literacy by the Ministry. "The volunteer will report incidences of missing children, violence against women such as domestic violence, child marriage, dowry harassment, trafficking and any other form of violence faced by women in both public and private spaces," the official said.

They will also help spreading awareness about services including women, police and children helpline numbers. The first phase will be implemented on pilot basis in villages with high rate of crime against women and poor child sex ratio. A special website will also be launched by the Ministry, where names of all MPVs will be put up.