The 19th meeting of the Task Force on Women’s Safety in Delhi, chaired by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, focused on addressing key issues related to women’s security across the city. Saxena provided specific directives to various departments, highlighting the need for swift action to ensure safety in public spaces.
A primary concern raised during the meeting was the presence of dark spots in Delhi, considered vulnerable areas for women’s safety. The LG emphasised the urgency of conducting a special 15-day drive across all departments of the Delhi government to identify and rectify these dark spots.
The process will be closely monitored, with "before and after" pictures required to ensure progress. Additionally, the Delhi Police was tasked with conducting a fresh audit to identify any remaining dark spots, particularly those located near bus stops.
This action is crucial, as 1,406 dark spots had been identified by the Safetipin Audit, of which 1,158 have already been illuminated. The LG directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to complete the remaining work within the next month.
The meeting also discussed measures to empower women by offering them new employment opportunities in public transportation. The Task Force was asked to identify 500 women interested in driving public transport vehicles so they could be trained, replicating the success of the “Drone Didi's” initiative.
As of now, the Transport Department has reported that there are already 660 women drivers operating three-wheeler autos, 96 women drivers employed by the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses, and 1,100 women working as bus conductors.
In line with these efforts, the Transport Department is also working on installing panic buttons in public buses. So far, 1,121 buses have panic buttons installed, but they need to be integrated with the 112 emergency call number. The LG instructed the Transport Commissioner to resolve this integration swiftly and ensure that all safety measures are functional.
The Delhi Police also shared data on various ongoing safety initiatives. The city now has 10,000 AI-enabled CCTV cameras at strategic locations and has deployed 15 all-women PCR vans to assist women in distress.
Additionally, 15 cyber crime police stations have been made operational, enhancing the city’s ability to address crimes against women online. Several awareness campaigns, such as “Nirbheek,” “Nazuk,” “Shishtachar,” and “Parivartan,” were discussed as key strategies to promote behavioural change in society.
The police also highlighted that 18,102 male students had been counselled up until August 2024 as part of efforts to foster a culture of respect and gender equality.
Saxena also stressed the importance of ensuring that personnel in the PCR vans remain alert and capable of responding to real-time incidents. Further directives were issued for monitoring all office buildings, hospitals, and educational institutions.
The LG emphasised that these locations should be clean and safe for women, particularly in washrooms, and that proper data collection should be conducted to ensure compliance. He also instructed the Education Department to expedite the revision of the gender-sensitive curriculum, which had been pending for some time.
A key issue that emerged during the meeting was the underutilization of “Sakhi One-Stop Centers,” facilities meant to offer comprehensive support services to women affected by violence. Saxena expressed concern over the centres' lack of functionality, calling for urgent steps to address funding shortages and improve their operations.
The Lieutenant Governor concluded the meeting by emphasising the need for a broader cultural change in society. He pointed out that while policing can play a significant role in deterring crime, achieving long-term safety for women requires a shift in the societal mindset.
LG Saxena stressed the importance of augmenting campaigns aimed at sensitising young boys and adolescents through gender workshops and educational programs.
The Education Department and other concerned agencies were asked to make necessary amendments to curricula, focusing on dismantling social norms that objectify women.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from several key departments, including the Chief Secretary, the Home Department, the MCD, the Transport Department, the Law Department, and the Education Department, along with officers from the Delhi Police and other related agencies.
Together, these departments are expected to work towards implementing the measures discussed, ensuring that women’s safety remains a top priority in the capital city.
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