Days after SC’s directive, WCD gives update on feeding rooms in public spaces
WCD said Ministry of Civil Aviation has shared information that 164 and 148 Feeding Rooms/Changing Rooms have been set up at AAI and non-AAI airports
New Delhi: The Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) told Parliament on Wednesday that it has written to several government departments and organisations, asking them to set up dedicated spaces for breastfeeding in public spaces.
These include the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Railway Board, and State and Union Territory (UT) governments. This response comes days after Supreme Court’s ruling on March 4 that the Union and state governments have a legal obligation to provide adequate facilities to facilitate breastfeeding in public spaces.
WCD in its response said, “The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) has written to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Ministry of Civil Aviation, Railway Board and all States and UTs to establish feeding rooms and changing rooms for women and children in public places from time to time.”
WCD said the Ministry of Civil Aviation has shared information that “164 and 148 Feeding Rooms/Changing Rooms have been set up at airports under Airports Authority of India (AAI) and non-AAI airports, respectively.”
Additionally, MoRTH shared information from the Association of State Road Transport Undertakings, revealing that breastfeeding rooms are available in 26 bus stations under Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC), 2 bus stations under Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) in Coimbatore, and 50 bus stations under Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC).
The government has also directed state authorities to create gender-friendly spaces in public buildings. An advisory issued by the Secretary, MWCD, to all Ministries, Departments, and State Governments said the importance of providing such spaces. “The advisory includes an indicative list of activities to create gender-friendly spaces in workplaces... including allocating space for feeding rooms, restrooms, and yoga rooms.”
Further, the Ministry has also emphasised the importance of establishing crèches in public buildings. “Establishing at least one crèche facility in every public building having 50 or more employees to support working mothers” is one of the key suggestions mentioned in the advisory.
In addition to these initiatives, WCD also runs the ‘Palna’ component under the Mission Shakti program, which aims to provide daycare facilities and protection for children. As of now, 11,395 Anganwadi cum Crèches (AWCCs) have been approved across 34 States and UTs under this scheme.