Reviews women’s safety, legal assistance, shelter and welfare facilities; interacts with survivors and women inmates to assess services and support systems
YAMUNANAGAR | PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK
Haryana State Commission for Women’s newly appointed member Dr Anukampa Garg conducted inspections of the Women Police Station, One Stop Centre and District Jail in Yamunanagar to review facilities related to women’s safety, legal assistance, shelter and welfare. During the visit, she interacted with women facing distress and reviewed the support mechanisms available to survivors seeking institutional assistance.
At the Women Police Station, Dr Garg reviewed matters concerning women who had approached the police with complaints and grievances. She also spoke with some complainants over the telephone to inquire about their situation and assess the assistance and response being provided to them.
The inspection was aimed at understanding the functioning of institutions that play an important role in providing immediate support, protection and access to legal and welfare services for women facing difficult circumstances.
Following the visit to the police station, Dr Garg inspected the One Stop Centre, popularly known as the Sakhi Centre, which operates from the premises of the Women and Child Development Department. The centre provides multiple forms of assistance to women requiring support and is intended to offer several essential services through a coordinated mechanism.
During the inspection, Acting Centre Manager Bindu Sharma briefed the Commission member about the functioning of the One Stop Centre and the facilities available to women approaching the institution. She explained that efforts are made to provide a safe and supportive environment, with a focus on ensuring that women facing distress can receive assistance in a secure setting.
District Programme Officer, Women and Child Development, Miksha Ranga, also informed Dr Garg about the services being provided through the centre. The One Stop Centre offers support including health assistance, temporary shelter and legal counselling, enabling women to access important services under one roof.
Dr Garg inspected the rooms where women and young girls requiring temporary shelter are accommodated. She reviewed the arrangements and sought information about the facilities available to residents. During the visit, she also spoke over the phone with the father of a young woman staying at the centre and sought feedback regarding the services and support being provided.
The interaction was part of the Commission member’s effort to assess the functioning of the support system from the perspective of both beneficiaries and their families. The inspection focused not only on physical facilities but also on the quality of assistance and the overall environment provided to women seeking help.
The One Stop Centre plays an important role in supporting women who require immediate assistance due to violence, harassment or other difficult circumstances. By bringing health support, shelter and legal counselling together, the centre is designed to reduce the difficulties women may face while seeking help from different agencies.
Dr Garg later visited the District Jail, where she interacted with women inmates and reviewed their conditions. She sought information about their welfare and the facilities available to them inside the jail. The visit was aimed at understanding the situation of women inmates and ensuring that issues related to their safety, dignity and basic needs receive appropriate attention.
During her interaction, Dr Garg emphasised that the Haryana State Commission for Women is committed to protecting women’s rights and promoting their safety, dignity and empowerment. She said that the Commission’s objective is to ensure that women facing problems are able to access appropriate support and assistance without hesitation.
She encouraged women facing any form of difficulty to approach the Haryana State Commission for Women and seek help through the available institutional mechanisms. She stressed the importance of creating an environment in which women feel confident about reporting their concerns and seeking assistance.
The inspection of the Women Police Station, One Stop Centre and District Jail highlighted the importance of coordination among police, the Women and Child Development Department and other institutions responsible for women’s welfare. Such coordination can help ensure that women requiring urgent assistance are connected with appropriate services without unnecessary delay.
The visit also underlined the significance of regular monitoring of institutions dealing with women’s safety and welfare. Direct interaction with complainants, beneficiaries, family members and women inmates can help authorities understand practical challenges and identify areas where facilities and services may require further strengthening.
Dr Anukampa Garg’s inspection focused on three key aspects of women’s welfare—safety, support and empowerment. At the Women Police Station, the focus was on understanding the situation of women who had approached the police. At the One Stop Centre, attention was given to shelter, health assistance and legal counselling. At the District Jail, the Commission member reviewed the welfare and conditions of women inmates.
The Haryana State Commission for Women member reiterated that the protection of women’s dignity and rights remains an important responsibility and that women should not hesitate to seek assistance whenever they face a problem.
The visit is expected to contribute to continued monitoring of women-centric institutions in Kurukshetra and strengthen attention towards the services being provided to women seeking protection, counselling, shelter and other forms of assistance.
POD/DESK
