Memorandum on Challenges of Women Police Personnel submitted to DGP, Odisha
Bureau,Odishabarta
Bhubaneswar:On 3rd July 2023, a Team of Researchers and Activists have submitted a Memorandum to Shri Sunil Kumar Bansal (The Director General of Police, Odisha) appealing for addressing the problems of women police personnel and take steps to increase the numbers of women in police force.
Centre for the Sustainable use of Natural and Social Resources (CSNR) a Bhubaneswar-based organization, accorded Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), working towards a people-friendly and accountable policing system conducted a Study on “Challenges of Women Police Personnel at Odisha, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand”. From this study, some important challenges as highlighted by the study respondents that, clean washrooms not available for about 61.33%, resting-rooms not available for 94.66% rest room, 76% seek transportation facility during odd hours, 91% feel the need of crèche facility, 43% is not allotted with quarter, almost 80% work more than 10 hours, 67% do not aware about Internal Complaint Committee (ICC), 64% face different problems during monthly period, 84% agree that there are need of sanitary dispenser, 24% not equally treated as male colleagues.
The memorandum presented by CSNR Study team encompassed concerning challenges faced by women police in law enforcement from findings of Study report. These included: Mobile toilets facility during law & order duty and Near Traffic post, Separate& clean Toilet for female police in every Police station, Adequate infrastructural facilities such changing rooms, facility for crèches and resting-rooms, Fixed hours of work, One-Day week off ,Transportation facility during odd hours, introduction of Menstrual Leave Policy, Psychological testing during recruitment, Child-care Leave policy, Gender Sensitization Training to both men and women police, Recruitment more women police.
During the meeting, delegations from CSNR expressed their gratitude to the Director General of Police for granting them this opportunity to voice their concerns and actively engage in dialogue about women’s issues in the police force. The discussions were conducted in a constructive manner, fostering an environment of mutual respect and understanding.
The team members include Mr Dhirendra Panda (Secretary CSNR), Prof. Dr Susmita Parija (Researcher), Dr Prangya Pramita Jena, Mr. Ranjit sutar and Ms. Pallishree Dash (Coordinator, Police Reform Campaign). CSNR efforts aim to create a more inclusive and gender-equal police force, ensuring the safety and well-being of both female officers and the communities they serve.
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