As a step towards empowering women, Chief Minister Shri Jai Ram Thakur after releasing the handbook “ Mahila Suraksha’ (women safety) at oak-over here today said that since from the day the government took over, we made our intention clear for providing added security and protection to women.
Brought out by the district administration Shimla, the booklet on women safety encapsulates essential tips for personal safety , important legal provisions and safeguards regarding crimes against women, sexual harassment at work places as well as important phone numbers and helpline numbers.
The Chief Minister said that the efforts of district administration for bringing out handbook for blind children in Braille would certainly help the visually impaired. Special copies have been printed in Braille in both English and Hindi languages. The handbook on women safety also contains ideas as to how the women can protect themselves while during travelling or otherwise.
The Chief Minister said that since social media was gaining popularity amongst the youth, the information in the booklet regarding the measures to be taken while using Facebook, Instagram, twitter, whats App etc would be quite useful, if adhered to strictly.
The Chief Minister said that the government had also launched “Shakti App” and Guddiya helpline number 1515 for the protection of women. He said that the endeavour was to empower the women in real sense and make them capable to protect themselves besides taking maximum benefit of the tips as provided in the handbook. He said that such handbooks were required to be distributed throughout the state and in every school, institutions, workplaces, and colleges.
As many as 10000 handbooks would be distributed to school going girls from 9th to 12th class including college going and working women initially, said Deputy Commissioner Shimla Shri Amit Kashyap. .
The girls have been urged to keep potential weapons with themselves as Pen, Pencil, Nail cutters, handy Swiss knives, long handle combs, pepper spray, scarf, earphones, phone chargers, pins, keys etc. and also the defence tactics.
Education Minister Shri Suresh Bhardwaj also spoke on the measures to be initiated for welfare and empowering women in all the educational institutions in the state. He said that the endeavour of the district administration to bring out easy to carry handbook would go a long way in creating awareness amongst the women about their rights and safety and the combat tactics.
Additional Chief Secretary Smt. Manisha Nanda, OSD to Chief Minister Shri Shishu Dharma, Director, IPR Shri Anupam Kashyap, Director, Elementary education Shri Manmohan Sharma were also present on the occasion amongst others.
