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DCW becoming redundant?

By Mandira Nayar

NEW DELHI OCT. 14 . The Delhi Commission for Women has turned a blind eye to the rising crime against minor girls in the Capital, abdicating its primary role of protecting women in the process, allege women activists. Partners with non-government organisations and the police in the Crisis Intervention Centres set up in all the nine police districts to "handle'' such cases, the DCW, it seems, has left NGOs to shoulder the burden.

While a standing order issued in 2001 clearly spells out the DCW's functions, it is yet to fulfil its responsibilities, volunteers at these Crisis Intervention Centres feel. Ignoring its role in this process to provide minor victims a "support structure'' - the order seems to be all but "forgotten'. According to the order: "A quarterly meeting shall be held by DCW to review the functioning of Crisis Intervention Centres with all concerned officials. The Delhi Commission for Women shall look into various problems pertaining to the functioning of the centres and help solve them.''

However, DCW seems to be following a completely different calendar, lament volunteers, what with the number of meetings decreasing over the years. "They held meetings in the first year but there has been only one meeting this year. We often face problems with hospitals and even the police. The DCW can put pressure on the medical fraternity and can take up the matter with the higher authorities, but since they have not held any meetings, they are not aware of these problems. The last few major rape cases have been in hospitals but DCW is yet to take action,'' rued a volunteer in Crisis Intervention Centre.

While the order states that: "DCW on their part, shall get posters with appropriate messages printed from time to time for displaying them at various important places in Delhi, with a view to create awareness on the subject,'' little has been done, experts allege. "Not even one poster has been printed to highlight the issue. NGOs are left to spread awareness all by themselves. Even basic information listing out where to go for help in case you are victim of violence has not been provided in poster form,'' claim volunteers.

Entrusted with protecting the rights of women, the DCW seems be least interested in their primary duties. Though DCW might argue otherwise, members seem to be completely clueless about the happenings in the city. "We have organised legal awareness campaigns in four centres. We have also forwarded recommendations to the government,'' claimed a member. However, she was unable to "remember'' any recommendation made by the Commission after the criminal assault of the young nurse in Shanti Mukund Hospital, clearly reflecting the attitude of the Commission. Instead of taking a lead in issues concerning violence against women, the Commission is increasingly becoming redundant, feel experts.

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