Women are to constitute 10 per cent of the State police force by 2016, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has said.
Inaugurating a national seminar on ‘Women Police Empowerment’ here on Thursday, Mr. Chennithala said the law enforcement was focussed on ensuring the safety and welfare of women; at home, during travel, and at workplaces and educational institutions.
The police would start six more women police stations. He said the decision to reserve 50 per cent of seats in Panchayati Raj institutions for women had been greeted with scepticism.
But, the move paved the way for the political empowerment of women. It also ensured the participation of homemakers in local development. Similarly, the government’s resolve to induct more women into the force would help ensure gender justice. The Home Department had opened the doors of the police force to women by convincing the Kerala State Public Service Commission to amend a clause that restricted women from applying for law enforcement jobs.
At least 60 women officers would be recruited as Sub-Inspectors in the General Executive Branch of the police this year. Another 250 were due to complete their police training soon.
Director-General, Prisons, T.P. Senkumar said that men, particularly youth, needed be taught to respect the rights of women. It was men who need to be gender sensitised, he said.
Academician J. Devika spoke on a multi-pronged approach to empower women. Supreme Court lawyer Vrinda Grover elaborated on amendments to law and continuing aggressions against women.
Health Minister V.S. Sivakumar, Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Nivedita P. Haran, DGP, Community Policing, M.N. Krishnamoorthy, ADGP, South Zone, K. Padmakumar, Kerala State Women’s Development Corporation Chairman P. Kulsu, and AIG, Coastal Security, Uma Behera spoke.
