On 03.010.2011, Dr Ms Charu WaliKhanna attended State Level Seminar on Women’s Empowerment and Development-Issues and Challenges organized by Kundan Society at Sawaimadhopur. Member NCW made all the women stand up and take a oath to Resist Violence and Live in a Violence Free Environment and Make informed Choices. 

A girl belonging to the tribal community, Meena Rani (name changed) alongwith her parents and family members came up to the Member seeking assistance in resolving her matrimonial problem. The organisers were asked to help make an application and the next day meet the Member NCW in order to find a solution. 

Member held discussions with the SP, Sh Anshuman Bhomia who informed her that the registration of cases of crime against women has increased specially those relating to matrimonial offences and abduction. Consultations were also held with local field level officials - Mr Mani Lal Teergar, Deputy Director, Women & Child Development Dept., Razia begum CDPO, ICDS in order to know the functioning of the various schemes. 

The officials, NGOs and police all articulated the lack of material to distribute among women on their legal rights. Member NCW assured them that shortly NCW would provide posters and self help legal literacy manuals on issues relating to women. 

On 4.010.2011 Member inspected the Mahila Police Station, Sawaimadhopur which handles cases relating to IPC sections 294/304B/306/309/354/366A/366B /372/373/376/498A/506. Trust and confidence in the police and social service agencies is a positive sign with “authorities being seen as responsive, and leads to better law enforcement and greater police protection. She complimented SHO Sh Jagdish Singh and his team comprising Sub Inspectors (1), ASI (2) Head Constable (1) and Constables (4 female and 8 males), on their efforts in creating an enabling environment for women in distress who come for help. 

Member also inspected the register kept at the Mahila Desk. The police makes efforts to try to save the family and after extensive counseling, bring about a compromise between the parties, wherever possible. The compromise is then recorded in the register. The police related their success stories, which had also been published in the newspapers. 

Operating from the Mahila Police Station is a “Mahila Suraksha Avam Salah Kendra” being run by “Operation for Social Work Society”, a NGO. The Counsellor Bindu Khandelwal, Laxmi Agarwal are available from 10am-5 pm and any woman can walk in with her problems. In case of emergency the counselors are available on their mobile phones. 

The girl Meena Rani was counseled by Member NCW, NGO, and police women. The counseling aided the process of her self development, increased her confidence and understanding of herself. Her father was made to understand and respect her feelings. For the first time in his life he asked her what she wanted to do. And for the first time she openly expressed her choice to her father, i.e. to study further through open school and to become an Anganwadi worker; rather than going back to an abusive relationship with her husband who had abandoned her.

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