Eye on games: Help Desks to protect women in city

The Capital has gained notoriety for being unsafe for women. However, 12 months before the prestigious Commonwealth Games, the Delhi government has taken upon itself to change that. Jatin Anand reports.

The Capital has gained notoriety for being unsafe for women. However, 12 months before the prestigious Commonwealth Games, the Delhi government has taken upon itself to change that.

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Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Tuesday inaugurated the Gender Help Desk initiative proposed by the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW).

The inauguration took place at the Delhi Secretariat during the commission’s meeting with representatives of various agencies including the Delhi Police, various hospitals, the tourism industry and others associated with the Games.

Women will be able to register harassment-related complaints at the proposed Gender Help Desks, which will be positioned at entry points like airports, railway stations and inter-state bus terminals in addition to all the stadiums and Commonwealth Villages.

The function of the desks will not be mitigation alone, but also prevention.

For instance, they will help guide various government agencies in maintaining appropriate conduct towards female participants and volunteers during the event.