Govt plans steps to tackle atrocities against women

Government today outlined a series of steps to tackle atrocities against women, including giving more powers to the National Commission for Women and setting up of crisis centres in every district.
Expressing "great concern" over the issue, Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi told the Lok Sabha Gandhi that changes were also needed in various laws to prevent such incidents.
She was replying to a discussion on the need to have stringent legislation to check increasing atrocities against women and children.
Emphasising that more powers should be given to National Commission for Women, Gandhi said it needs to have the ability to investigate the cases.

"It (Commission) needs to be recast...," she said.
She also listed various measures being planned by the government in this regard.

To empower girls, government is working on having classes for two hours in schools to sensitise them on various aspects such as their legal rights, she said.
Besides, "one stop crisis centres" will be set up in every district to help victims, including those subjected to rape and eve-teasing.
Underlining the need to change mindset of people, she urged members to do whatever is possible to tackle atrocities against women and children.
Gandhi rued that though she had written to all Lok Sabha members to help in getting land and other facilities for such centers, she has received only few responses so far.