“The programme will be implemented in all districts. Organisations are encouraged to make schedules so that women work in pairs or teams and know each other’s movements during night hours,” the press release said. (Photo: PTI)
Following the rape and murder of a female junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, the West Bengal government has introduced a new initiative called “Rattirer Shaathi” aimed at improving the safety of women working night shifts.
Alapan Bandyopadhyay, Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister of West Bengal, announced the major programme at a press conference on Saturday.
“After RG Kar incident New App for Women Safety. WEST BENGAL GOVERNMENT FLAGSHIP PROGRAMME FOR SAFETY OF WOMEN WORKING NIGHT SHIFT, Alapan Bandyopadhyay, IAS (Retd.), Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister of West Bengal informed this at a press conference on Saturday,” a press release said.
The initiative, called “Rattirer Shaathi” or “Helpers of the Night,” will involve the development of a special mobile app equipped with alarm devices. This app will be mandatory for all working women and will be connected to local police stations and the police control room.
“He said about the initiative ‘Rattirer Shaathi’ HELPERS OF THE NIGHT that a special mobile phone app with alarm devices will be developed which will be compulsorily downloaded by all working women and will be connected to the local police stations/police control room. Helpline number 100/112 should be used extensively during any panic/emergency situation. Rattirer Shaathi or women volunteers will be on duty during the night,” the press release said.
The initiative provides separate toilets with toilets for women.
“Safe zones will be identified and created for women with full coverage of CCTV and its monitoring. Security checks and breath testing will be conducted at medical colleges and hospitals, super speciality hospitals, district hospitals. He mentioned that all organisations will be requested to set up a Visakha committee for sexual harassment of women at workplace, failing which this is not done,” the press release said.
Also a programme to sensitize all government institutions on issues related to women’s safety and to encourage private organizations to do the same.
“The programme will be implemented in all districts. Organisations are encouraged to make schedules so that women work in pairs or teams and know each other’s movements during night hours,” the press release said.
The government will also engage private institutions to set up the Rattirer Shaathi protocol.
In addition, the following measures may be taken: Police shall patrol all medical colleges and hospitals, women’s hostels and such places at night. Sufficient drinking water facilities shall be provided on all floors of hospitals etc. Identity cards shall be displayed and displayed by all faculty, staff members, security guards etc. in medical colleges and hospitals. Security guards shall be appointed by the police in all medical colleges and hospitals and district hospitals for general supervision of security. The working hours of women, including women doctors, shall not exceed 12 hours at a time. Wherever possible, night shifts for women shall be avoided to the greatest extent possible. Similarly, security guards in government colleges and hospitals shall consist of a mix of male and female guards in district colleges and hospitals.
On August 9, a junior doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, triggering nationwide protests by doctors and medical professionals.
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First publication: Aug 17, 2024 | 11:33 PM IST