Week-long safety drive at suburban stations by GRP

With crimes on the rise on suburban trains, the Government Railway Police (GRP) have decided to help women take their safety in their own hands.

With crimes on the rise on suburban trains, the Government Railway Police (GRP) have decided to help women take their safety in their own hands.

On the occasion of International Women’s Day on March 8, the GRP will begin a week-long women safety drive, where commuters will be taught self-defence techniques. A booklet containing dos and don’ts and helpline numbers will also be distributed to them.

The move was aimed at equipping women commuters to look after themselves, said GRP officers.

The self-defence training session will be conducted on some of the major suburban stations.
“When a woman is in danger, it will be more helpful if she can resist the attack, before summoning help. This can be done if she is fearless and confident. This is what the programme aims to achieve,” a GRP official said.

The self-defence techniques will be taught for an hour at all major stations during the safety week. Those who attend these workshops will be given ‘safety bands’, by the all-women police squad.

“The safety drive is planned with an intention to build confidence and courage amongst women commuters and to make them self-sufficient to deal with any situation. The programme will help make women empowered and fearless,” said Rupali Ambure, deputy commissioner of police, GRP (Central Railway).

The GRP is conducting this programme in association with the Rotary International.