HC wants quick steps on women's safety

Taking a serious view on the matter of women's safety, the Bombay High court has directed the state government and various public transport undertakings to describe the steps they are taking to ensure that women are protected particularly in public places.

Who is court addressing?

Hearing a public interest petition on the issue, a division bench of judges Abhay Oka and Girish Kulkarni on Friday issued notices to the Western and Central Railways, state and city bus transport authorities, taxi and auto unions. Notices will also be sent to the secretaries in the departments of health, education and social justice. The judges directed that the notices must reach the authorities by October 10 and their replies should come by November 9.

Who raised the issue?

The PIL was filed by Chandrakant Palav, senior citizen, who has asked the court to direct the government to take measures to protect women against sexual assault and to also consider a dress code for women.

Senior advocate Madhav Jamdar, who has been appointed amicus curiae (friend of the court) listed the issues in public places that were a worry for women and suggested steps to be taken in this respect. The court has asked the government and various departments to explain how they intend to implement these measures.

What are the steps proposed?

Jamdar stated in a 14-page note that there must be zero tolerance on crime of any nature against women and action must be taken without even waiting for a formal complaint from the victim.

The suggestions cover steps to be taken also at schools and colleges, offices and even gymnasiums. They also stressed the need for psychiatrists and counselors who can help girls / women particularly in distress.

The measures mention the need to name and shame offenders by publishing the pictures of stalkers, eve teasers and those convicted for crimes against women.

Have we heard this before?

Among other oft-repeated proposals are improved vigilance, installation of CCTV cameras, displaying helpline numbers in public places and illumination in poorly-lit areas.

Palav, who is also a social worker, mentioned in the PIL that while the government must take strong measures to curb the violence against women, it is also necessary to educate young people on being properly dressed to avoid attracting unnecessary attention.


BOX

THINGS TO DO

> Females should have entry / exit from the front door in buses

> Properly illuminate streets, public places

> During public celebrations and gatherings, special arrangements for safety of females; make organisers liable

> Clean, safe public toilets for females

> Complaint boxes in all education institutions and redressal mechanism

> Foundation course should highlight female achievers towards helping to change the mindset of young males towards females

> Centers for destitute women to be maintained as hostels and not jails

> Self-censorship in the portrayal of females in the media. A new rating system / formula based on respect for women to be set up in place of the existing TRP system