Cabinet Minister and Guardian Minister of Mumbai Suburban District, Mangal Prabhat Lodha, has issued crucial directives to the District Collector of Mumbai Suburban concerning the safety of women and children. In a recent letter, he stressed the importance of implementing comprehensive safety measures for women and female students in schools and colleges throughout the Mumbai Suburban area to prevent crimes against them.
Lodha announced that starting September 1, self-defense training will be offered to young women at all Industrial Training Institutes statewide, as well as in schools and colleges within the Mumbai Suburban region.
In his letter, Minister Lodha stated, “The increasing crimes against women and children are a matter of concern for the government, administration, and our society. The incident that occurred in Badlapur has provided public suggestions for preventive measures. Such incidents are happening due to negligence regarding women’s safety. Keeping this in mind, strict instructions should be given to all educational institutions from kindergarten to postgraduate levels in the Mumbai Suburban area. Schools, colleges, and various institutions should also thoroughly verify the staff appointed by them to ensure no untoward incidents occur, and everyone should take precautions!”
CCTV mandatory in schools now
In his letter, Minister Lodha directed that CCTV cameras be installed throughout school premises, excluding washrooms, and that their safety and functionality be regularly monitored by beat marshals or patrolling police teams. He also mandated that a female staff member be assigned to oversee the area outside girls’ washrooms, and emphasized that female sanitation workers must handle the cleaning of washrooms used by underage girls and those in the tenth grade.
Additionally, he instructed that a female staff member must be present on student transportation such as buses, taxis, and vans, and that police verification of sanitation staff at schools be conducted.
Self-defense training for school girls
Minister Lodha further advised schools to collaborate with local NGOs to provide self-defense training for girls. In case of emergencies, students should be encouraged to report incidents to the 1098 helpline, with posters about this displayed in schools.
He also recommended establishing a committee of female parents within schools to meet monthly and address issues concerning girls. Schools and colleges are to display posters in every classroom and throughout the premises, informing women and girls about using the 181 helpline in emergencies.
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