 |
|
 |
|
| make delhi safe for women campaign |
|
| Women¡¯s Right to Public Spaces |
|
| One of CEQUIN¡¯s (Centre for Equity and Inclusion) critical areas of work is addressing violence against women in public spaces (between home and workplace), which has a direct impact on women and girls¡¯ mobility. The new economy has thrown up new job opportunities for women. There is increasing mobility of women on the streets of Delhi to service the 24x7 industries which rely hugely on women workers. More and more young girls are going out of their homes seeking higher education for better prospects. Yet, women continue to feel unsafe. It is a matter of grave concern that the capital of India, New Delhi continues to be perceived as unsafe for women. When we talk of inclusive development, it is mandatory to provide a conducive public space for all citizens to exercise their human rights. It is incumbent on the government and all public machinery, as well as the society at large to take responsibility for the safety and security of women on the streets of Delhi. |
|
| About the Campaign |
|
CEQUIN launched a campaign in the city of New Delhi aiming to create awareness and facilitate a movement towards making Delhi a safer environment for women. The effort is to put in place strategies to tackle the problem and help create a change in attitude, thereby making Delhi a ¡®zero tolerance zone¡¯ for violence against women in public spaces. The cohesive, sustained campaign is pitched at prevention as well as redressal. The work involves a two pronged approach of evolving and implementing preventive strategies with key stakeholders on one hand and mindset change on the other. CEQUIN is seeking to achieve this through advocacy and capacity building.
|
|
| While engaging with the issue of violence against women in public spaces, one of the points which comes up strongly is that ¡®perceived fear¡¯ of violence is as potent as actual instances of crimes. This ¡®fear¡¯ in itself has a debilitating impact on women¡¯s mobility. |
|
| Stakeholders |
| This campaign is addressing the issue in a holistic fashion, involving 7 critical stakeholders. The idea of working collectively with the various stakeholders is to ensure that efforts don¡¯t get lost within the cracks between different agencies. The identified stakeholders are: |
|
- Law enforcement agencies
- Educational institutions
- Transport
- Residents Associations
- Market Associations
- Town Planners
- Media
|
|
| Partnership with the Government |
|
| In order to ensure large scale and long term impact, CEQUIN is working in partnership with the Government of Delhi. The Chief Minister Ms Shiela Dixit has been very supportive. As a prelude to this partnership building, CEQUIN facilitated a high level consultation, held on 6th March, 2009. The meeting was chaired by Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Women and Child Development and Languages, Dr Kiran Walia, and moderated by Secretary Department of Women and Child Development, Ms Debashree Mukherjee. The consultation brought in critical stakeholders, including representatives from police, transport, education, women¡¯s commission, Bhagidari (on behalf of the RWAs and MTAs), Mission Convergence, Department of women and child, as well as civil society. The outcome of the meeting was the setting up of a steering committee chaired by the Secretary, Department for Women and Child, with CEQUIN as its committee member, on behalf of civil society. This partnership has provided a tremendous opportunity to plan activities strategically for maximum impact. |
| |
  |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
