The government might appoint special police officers to function as a bridge between the police and women affected by violence, Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi said on Tuesday.
"I have requested the home minister (Rajnath Singh) to examine the possibility of appointment of special police officers (SPOs) to function as a bridge between women affected by violence and the police authorities," Gandhi informed the Rajya Sabha, while responding to a discussion on the working of her ministry.
"The (women and child development) ministry has offered to work with the home ministry and the state governments to work on this innovative method where young girls are trained to function as honorary special police officers," she said.
The minister also said the government was amending the Juvenile Justice Act to address complex issues of heinous crimes committed by juveniles.
It will also pave the way for making adoption of children easier in India, she said.
"It will also bring in the new concept of foster care which will enable children to be placed with willing families instead of putting them in children homes and orphanages," she said.
Also Read
Gandhi also expressed concern over the declining child sex ratio and female foeticide, and called them the "biggest challenges" faced by her ministry.
She said the child sex ratio has declined from 945 per 1,000 in 1991 to 927 per 1,000 in 2001 and further to 918 per 1,000 in 2011.
"One of the most important challenges before us is the declining child sex ratio and female foeticide. The declining child sex ratio is alarming and disturbing," she said.
"Recognising the need for urgent action, the government has announced the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) programme to empower the girl child and enable her education," she said.