In a decisive move to bolster the safety of women and children, Cabinet Minister and Guardian Minister of Mumbai Suburban District, Mangal Prabhat Lodha, has issued key directives to the District Collector. The minister has stressed the importance of implementing comprehensive safety measures across various schools and colleges in the district to curb incidents of abuse against women and children.
During a program at the Mumbai Suburban District Collectorate in Bandra, Minister Lodha announced that beginning September 1, all Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in the state, along with every college in Mumbai Suburban, will provide self-defence training for young women. This initiative forms part of a broader strategy to empower women and ensure their safety in educational institutions.
Minister Lodha expressed grave concern over the rising instances of violence against women and children, citing the recent incident in Badlapur as a glaring example of the need for immediate action. “The neglect of women’s safety has led to tragic incidents, which is why strict instructions must be issued to all educational institutions, from kindergarten to postgraduate levels, across Mumbai Suburban,” Lodha emphasised. He stressed that schools and colleges must conduct thorough background checks on their staff to prevent any untoward incidents.
The directives issued by the minister include several key measures:
1. Installation of CCTV cameras throughout the school premises, excluding restrooms, with regular maintenance checks by beat marshals or mobile police teams.
2. Permanent stationing of female staff members outside girls’ restrooms for constant supervision.
3. Assignment of female sanitation workers to clean restrooms used by minor girls and 10th-grade students.
4. Requirement of female staff presence on all buses, taxis, and vans used for student transportation.
5. Mandatory police verification of all sanitation workers employed in schools.
6. Collaboration with local NGOs to provide self-defense training for female students.
7. Encouragement for students to report issues via the 1098 helpline number, with schools required to display posters with this information.
8. Establishment of a separate committee of female parents in schools, with monthly meetings to discuss issues related to female students.
9. Display of posters in schools and colleges, informing women and girls about the 181 helpline for emergencies.
These measures reflect a proactive approach to addressing the safety concerns of women and children, making educational institutions safer spaces for all.
Following the Badlapur incident, the Maharashtra state government has issued a Government Resolution mandating the installation of CCTV systems in all school premises within one month. Schools that fail to comply will face government action. Principals have also been instructed to monitor footage thrice a week and take necessary action if any objectionable material is found.
Furthermore, the state government has mandated precautionary measures in the recruitment of school staff, including background checks for sweepers, peons, bus drivers, and security guards. Schools are also required to maintain a complaint box for students, form a student security council, and report any incidents to the government within 24 hours.
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