A group of activists from several women's organisations today slammed the AAP government's special Assembly session on women's issues, terming the approach as "patriarchal".
"We appreciate that for the first time in history, a state government had convened a special session to discuss women's issues. But the outcome was really disappointing," Poonam Kaushik, a Delhi based lawyer and activist, said.
A delegation of women activists had met Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal before the special session and submitted a memorandum listing down their "major concerns".
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"We had met Arvind Kejriwal on June 28 and discussed issues concerning women for almost two hours and had submitted a memorandum. But none of those concerns were considered or discussed during the session except for setting up of an enquiry commission," Sehba Farooqui, a women's rights activist, said.
The activists also alleged that setting up devices like CCTV cameras, Smart Suraksha button, deployment of more policemen on roads, bus marshalls to increase surveillance on women will not ensure their safety.
"It is not just about more surveillance, cameras and simply more policemen on the streets. The concept of women's security involves generating more employment facilities, right to food, right to education, better wages, equality, economic empowerment, etc. The government's approach to women's issue is patriarchal," Maya John, an activist from Centre for Struggling Women, said.
The activists also demanded appropriate action against AAP MLA Somnath Bharti, who had said that "beautiful women" would be able to go out after midnight if AAP Government takes over policing in Delhi.
"Their MLAs are making objectionable remarks in the House which reflects their patriarchal attitude. Government should address these issues seriously and take appropriate action," an activist associated with Centre for Advocacy and Research said.
Earlier Congress had criticised the AAP government's special session, terming it as a "big joke" on women.
Delhi government had called a special session of Assembly on July 28 to discuss women's security in the backdrop of the ongoing tussle between them and Delhi Police following the brutal murder of 19-year-old Meenakshi in Anand Parbat area on July 16.
