Dr. Charu Walikhanna, Member, was eminent speaker at the ‘Workshop on Awareness of Rights and Upliftment of Women Safai Karmacharis’ organized by National Commission for Safai Karmacharis at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on 27.06.2013. 

The programme was inaugurated by Kumari Selja Hon’ble Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment. The dignitaries present on the occasion were Dr. P L Punia, Chairperson, National Commission for Scheduled Castes, Smt. Kamlaben Gurjar, Chairperson, National Commission for Safai Karmacharis, Sh. Hari Ram Sood and Shri Shyoraj Jivan, Members, National Commission for Safai Karmacharis. 

The occasion was also graced by Shri Rahul Gandhi, Hon’ble Member of Parliament. He assured the participants that the Government is committed to abolishing the "inhuman" practice of manual scavenging, a practice which could not be allowed in the 21st century. The woman workers welcomed his assurance and were extremely motivated that he was sensitive to their concerns. 

Dr. Charu WaliKhanna, Member, speaking in the special session on laws made the women participants aware of their rights and entitlements under the laws as workers. She stressed that there are several specific legislations like Factories Act, Beedi and Cigar Workers (Conditions of Employment) Act, Mines Act, Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, Plantation Labour Act etc. but no separate legislation for Protection of rights of the Safai Karmacharis, and for regulating their employment. A fact which was also brought to the notice of Shri Rahul Gandhi during his personal interaction with her. She also suggested to him that most of the persons working as Safai Karmachari belong to historically deprived communities, such as Valmiki; as a result of which they are subject to indignity and atrocity. Hence, it is recommended that in order to provide dignity to them and their work, the nomenclature “Safai Karmachari Workers” be changed to “Sanitation Workers”.

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