Uttar Pradesh Police Mahila Samman Prakoshth. U.P. Police Mahila Samman Prakoshth: "WE" for Women Empowerment ACHIEVEMENT REPORT

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1 U.P. Police Mahila Samman Prakoshth: "WE" for Women Empowerment ACHIEVEMENT REPORT (October November 2015) Created by the UP Govt. through a G.O. dated 5th September 2014, the UP Police Mahila Samman Prakoshth promotes the security, dignity and empowerment of women by building a bridge between the police and civil society. In doing so, it strives to boost public trust in the police and provide an authentic platform for a holistic solution to issues related to women empowerment across Uttar Pradesh. I. Actions taken within the Police Department 1. Overseeing "VIKALP", a web portal exclusively dedicated to the online registration of complaints by women. This portal has been working as an alternate platform for women who are unable to go to a police station for various reasons and ensures transparency as well as accountability. Complaints have been processed since 30 th of March, 2014, through nodal officers appointed in the 75 police districts. Over 2433 complaints (average 120/month) have been registered so far at 2.Held gender sensitization trainings/ workshops named -"Nav Chetna-- New Consciousness" for the capacity-building of about 1000 key police personnel in Lucknow(3), Pratapgarh, Lakhimpur, Bareilly and Lalitpur etcetera. These interactive 1

2 workshops were conducted in small groups, in collaboration with UNICEF and ActionAid. The district police is also regularly being upgraded regarding the latest laws, rules, regulations and methods of investigation regarding heinous crimes against women through circulars. 3. As the nodal agency of UPPolice for the efforts being made to deal with the menace of Human Trafficking, the Mahila Samman Prakoshth has done the following; (a)data has been collected regarding the working of the 35 AHTU's in the districts and policy has been chalked out for their structural and functional upgradation as well as the capacity building of the staff posted therein. (b) Associated with Home Dept. U.P. and NGO Shakti Vahini in over 15 districts, covering about 2000 police personnel, right from the rank of constable to that of the SP 4. A database has been prepared of all the Mahila Thanas in the State (74 districts have Mahila Thanas in U.P. currently) vis a-vis availability of women staff, so that recommendations regarding vacancies and recruitments can be made as per the requirement. 5. Developed a blueprint for building women-friendly police stations in key districts. 6. As the Chairperson of the Internal Committee on Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act 2013, the ADG, Mahila Samman Prakoshth dealt with 2 cases related to officers of the Indian Police Service. II. Knowledge-sharing and Awareness("Adhikaar") 1. Set up standees flex charts & pamphlets under the Series "Know Your laws, Ask for Your Rights," in public places, educational institutions and offices across U.P. Topics featured: Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005; Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act, 2013 and offences related to acid attacks, stalking, voyeurism and obscene acts/comments in public places. 2

3 III. Action on Applications and Information Received Action has been taken on about 450 applications which have been received by the Prakoshtha. In about 90 cases action was taken immediately, on being contacted by the complainant directly. IV. Partnership with Civil Society for Gender Equality and Gender Justice 1. Reached over 27,000 students--from institutions like CMS, Army Public School,Springdale,Hoerner College,Study Hall,Amity University, Lucknow University, IIM Lucknow etc-- through an ongoing Outreach and Interaction program. The program called "RU BA RU'' is conducted with students (both boys and girls) regarding the rights given to women by law and emphasizes their role as co-partners and co-workers in achieving gender justice, based on the premise that their mindset and vision today will define the stability of our society tomorrow. The module also includes talks on the precautions to be taken in the use of social media and other aspects of cyber security and a dialogue on the various aspects of physical and mental well-being. Gender-based education tools are also used to make the programme more interactive. on the request of students it is also being extended to sessions with the parents. 2. Started a program called "Police and Youth A Partnership for Gender Equality" at Lucknow University attended by the Vice Chancellor, faculty members, police officers and over 350 students who also took an oath on gender equality. LU students created a street play highlighting gender-related issues and took A demonstration on self defense techniques for women was presented by the Karate Association. Prizes were also given out for a poster competition held with women empowerment as its theme 3. Free training in self-defence has been given to about 5000 girls in 29 schools through the "AKSHAYA" program in the past few months through instructors of the UP Karate Association, etc which, as per the feedback of the students has helped in "boosting their self confidence" to a large extent. 4. Over 1000 people interacted with multimedia exhibits at "A Journey towards Gender Equality" booth at the Lucknow Mahotsav,

4 Showed power point presentations regarding various aspects of gender stereotyping, gender inequality and gender violence (specially female feticide and the various forms of domestic violence) to the continuous stream of visitors. Displayed prize-winning posters on Women Empowerment from a competition organized earlier. Also organized a 'Nukkad Natak' (street play), a candlelight vigil and a signature campaign throughout the course of the festival. 5.Gender sensitization of auto drivers, bus drivers, bus conductors and traffic police personnel are being carried out on regular being under "Saarthi" program, seeing the large number of women commuters. 6. A "Sensing Exercise" for a forthcoming policy paper was conducted with various cross-sections of society, including NGOs working on gender- related issues in both urban and rural areas, parents, students, teachers, media and other professionals. This is to be used as a baseline document to identify the security measures expected of the police, in order to enhance the security perceptions of society at large and thereby contribute to customer satisfaction. IV.Gender-related Community Policing The foundation stone for this was laid through the launch of a Citizen Cadet- "Saathi" Program at Lucknow University in the presence of the Vice Chancellor and other administrative and faculty members, police officers and students. The Citizen Cadet Program will focus on security and skill development/capacity building and counselling as interventions to advance the agenda of empowering young women. Under the program, a teacher (preferably a woman) and two students-- a boy and a girl- -were initially identified as Citizen Cadet (Mentor) and Citizen Cadets (student) respectively, from various Departments in the University. These Cadets will act as a link between the girl students of the respective departments and the district police regarding their problems, with the U.P.P. Mahila Samman Prakoshth serving as a bridge between the Citizen Cadets and the concerned police station. The program is being taken to other segments of society also. 4

5 V. Liaisoning and advisory consultancy on Women Empowerment to Government and other Agencies 1.Collected and collated data on Acid Attack(326A) survivors from all 75 districts of UP for payment of economic assistance /compensation paid by the UP Govt in March, Regular assistance is being provided by the Prakoshth to the Government in formalizing all aspects of the police component of the Asha Jyoti Kendras (One Stop Convergence Centre) and the Mahila Samman Kosh while working closely with the Home Department, WCD and TISS/CEHAT. 3. Report submitted to the Govt. regarding the classification of heinous offences against women and compensations to be provided therein as per the directions of the Honourable Supreme Court. 4. Collecting, collating and disseminating to the Govt. data related to crimes against women. VI. Actions Taken on Crime Related to Children 1. Monitoring the display of posters related to the POCSO Act, 2013 at a prominent place in every police station and taking feedback on them. 2. Coordinating with the NGOs working with children and the Portal on Missing Children to generate a dialogue and evolve a policy framework which ensures the safety and security of children. 3. Setting up the Vidyalaya Sanrakshan Samiti (School Safety and Security Committee)along with RU BA RU 4.Direct intervention regarding cases related to children. 5