RS discusses working of Women and Child Development Ministry

Need for immediate steps to ensure at least 30 per cent representation of women in the police force, flexible working hours for women and enhanced budgetary allocation for their welfare was voiced in Rajya Sabha today.
Participating in a debate on working of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Satish Chandra Misra (BSP) said concrete steps were also needed to extend a safe environment to 43 crore children in the age bracket of 0-18 years in the country and to ensure their compulsory education.
"Make provision for human working conditions of women including maternity leave provisions...Renounce practice derogatory to them," he said and stressed the need for a change in mentality towards women.

"If women's representation cannot be increased to 50 per cent in police forces, it should be made at least 30 per cent," he said.
Effective enforcement of laws to check female foeticide, practice of dowry, rape and child marriages were needed, he said and demanded an exclusive legal aid centre for women.
He said women domestic helps were most vulnerable.

Misra demanded steps to ensure that every household has a toilet as its absence makes them vulnerable to crime and cited example of UP gang rape case.
He said Rs 150 crore provision for women was grossly insufficient for 60 crore women in the country and demanded enhanced allocation.

"Working women should be provided with flexible hours and all possible security," he said and pointed out how an additional judge has to resign due to alleged harassment by a sitting High Court judge.
Sex ratio had reached alarming levels in states like Punjab with only 832 girls against 1000 boys, he said and added that the ratio in the country has declined by 12 points.
Deputy Chairman P J Kurien remarked that it is "very alarming and very serious."
He said children too needed special attention as 1.25 crore children in the age group of 6 to 15 years were engaged in dangerous and hazardous jobs.