In view of the rising number of cases against the exploitation of women at workplaces, the State Women’s Commission is contemplating the formation of internal committees for every establishment in the State.
According to Lissy Jose, a commission member, plans are afoot to float five-member committees in various institutions across the State. The panel will comprise representatives from NGOs, a social welfare officer and a member of any Scheduled Caste.
For institutions having more than 10 women employees, an internal committee having three women members and a legal expert will be set up.
Further, nodal officers led by a district-level officer will be deployed at the taluk and block levels to coordinate the activities of these panels.
Alongside, the commission will also carry out pre-marriage courses for women at the district level with a view to arrest the rising trend of divorce cases. The classes will be designed to enable the couple to strengthen their relationship and prepare them constructively for challenges and conflicts that rise at some point in married life.
The commission in association with the Ernakulam NSS Karayogam organised a mega adalat here on Saturday and disposed of as many as 25 cases out of 46 petitions listed for hearing.
The adalat, held at the TDM Hall, handled cases relating to exploitation at the workplace, family disputes and bank transactions, among others. Those relating to the Revenue Department were handed over for the consideration of the RDO while 12 cases will be considered in the next adalat.
Some of the key decisions taken during the adalat were to ensure police protection to a woman from Mulanthuruthy who was attacked by some over a dispute and receiving written assurance from the husband of a woman who had been undergoing severe torture in the name of dowry.
Lawyers Megha Dinesh and Satheesh Mathew Sakkaria, Kochi women’s cell circle inspector Sharlat Mani, and family counsellor Sini Mol were part of the panel that disposed of the cases.
