Govt will ensure adequate field for women in police: Rajnath

Acknowledging that women are deprived from getting their due representation in various fields, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said his government will ensure that females get "sufficient" identity in country's police forces and are provided better facilities.
Singh stressed there should be no difference between what is said and done in this regard and hence his government has announced that women will soon account for 33 per cent of constable-rank personnel in central paramilitary forces like CRPF and CISF and 15 per cent in the border guarding forces of BSF, SSB and ITBP.
He made these comments while inaugurating the 7th national conference on women in police at the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Academy here.

"I agree women do not get representation as much as they should...I want to assure that there will be sufficient representation for women in police forces in this government. I will not call it reservation but definitely we will strive for adequate representation (for women)," he said.
He said the Union Home Ministry has recently issued directions in this regard for central police organisations and forces even as various states and Union Territories have been sent advisories in this regard in the past.
The Minister said the Indian history and culture is replete with examples where women have not only been given equal but a higher position than the males.

"We want to make a proud, resilient and strong India and this goal cannot be achieved by overlooking one half of the population (that is women)," he said.

Calling himself a votary of providing more rights to the fair sex, the Minister added he made it sure in the political party he comes from (BJP), that women have 33 per cent representation.
Stating that women in India are not only equal but are ahead of men in various arenas, he said his government will do everything so that they get equal opportunities in every sphere.
He also criticised those who do not treat women with respect like the Witchcraft Act where a women was killed by terming her a witch.

"In our culture women are equated with gods. It is said where women are respected, god lives there...," he said.
The three-day conference is aimed to bring out new ideas for enhancing the role of women in police forces which will ultimately better the image of the police in general.
(Reopens DEL34)
Home Minister Singh further said women in the country have achieved all posts ranging from the President, the Prime Minister and many other top positions.
"Their (women) professional excellence needs special appreciation and there is need for equity in thinking and actions," he said, adding the Home Ministry will do its best for the welfare and promotion of professional excellence in women police officers.

He said the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD), which is hosting the conference along with CRPF, will set up a cell of research and development for increasing the representation of women in Police and central police forces.
"The cell should attempt to underline the role of women in police in India, to discuss and find solutions to improve their working conditions and organisational response to their increasing number in police.
"Besides, the cell should try to mainstream them as key players in leadership roles of the organisation, to provide for their capacity building and plan for their career and to celebrate their contribution and achievements as agents of change in the organisation," he said.

As per data, in 1981, women accounted 0.4 per cent of the total police in the country and the current representation stands at 6.11 per cent as of 2014.
CRPF Director General Prakash Mishra, first woman Director of Hyderabad-based Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy, Aruna Bahuguna and Chairperson of the conference and senior Special Commissioner of Delhi Police Vimla Mehra were present during the event.