The Delhi government will provide jobs to six acid attack survivors in the Health Department. Delhi Commission for Women had submitted resume of 33 acid attack survivors and health department has responded. “The Delhi Government’s health department informed us (DCW) that it will employ six acid attack survivors,” an official with the commission said. However, which post will they hold and what kind of work they will do, health department hasn’t decided yet.
DCW chairperson, Swati Maliwal, had met Health Minister, Satyendra Jain, last month and handed him resumes regarding their employment in the department. Even when Ms Maliwal, before becoming the DCW chairperson, was advisor to the chief minister, she organized a meeting with some of the survivors with the chief minister and the government in June had promised employment to them. But work on this slowed down and it was only in September that the government took initiatives.
Resume have been sent to other departments and response from them is awaited. “At least, there is a start and soon more will be accommodated,” said the official. “However, any written communication from the Health department is yet to come.”
Since most of these survivors aren’t highly qualified and the government doesn’t want to employ them at class IV, officials said that jobs are being created for them and they will be regularized soon after joining. “But employment will be on the basis of qualification.”
Even the matter of free medical aid to them has been discussed and nodal officer to look into their complaints is appointed.
Rehabilitation of sex workers
Delhi Commission for Women along with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) will work for the rehabilitation of sex workers of G B Road. To start with, 50 sex workers, who are willing to give up prostitution, will be identified and efforts to rehabilitate them will be made.
DCW chairperson, Swati Maliwal, said CII along with the NGOs working in G B Road area, will identify first 50 sex workers and help them to start a new life.
“Detailed plans for their rehabilitation will be drafted by CII and the Commission. A proposal for training will also be created for women living in Nari Niketan and other rehab homes. CII will also help collect CSR (corporate social responsibility) funds for this project,” she said.
CII officials who met Ms Maliwal at her office said that they will prepare a proposal for schooling of the children of sex workers. “To ensure that the second generation of sex workers doesn’t end up in the same profession, education has to be provided. But it was observed that schools resist and many end up not going to schools.”
