Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Thursday said the government has strengthened the law dealing with offences against women for better safety and security.
"For ensuring better safety and security for women, we have strengthened the law dealing with offences against women," said Dr. Singh, while delivering his 10th Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the historic 17th-century built Red Fort.
The Prime Minister had earlier in June sought setting up of an institutional mechanism for safety and security of women and children, especially in urban areas.
Addressing the conference of Chief Ministers on internal security in New Delhi on June 5, Dr. Singh said the issue which requires collective action was that of crimes against women and children for which the government has enacted several laws providing stringent punishment and more sensitive treatment of victims during investigation and trial.
"We have recently enacted several laws providing stringent punishment for such crimes and more sensitive treatment of victims during investigation and trial. These include the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013; The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act, 2012," said Dr. Singh.
"We also need to put in place institutional mechanisms to ensure the safety and security of women and children, particularly in the urban context. Such mechanisms include sensitization of police personnel, particularly at levels with which the victim comes into contact, setting up dedicated help-lines, measures for safety at the work place, and so on. I would urge all of you to explore how these outcomes can be best achieved," he added.
