Draft national policy for women unveiled

Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi has unveiled a Draft National Policy for Women to create a society in which women attain their full potential and participate as equal partners in all spheres of life. Briefing reporters in New Delhi yesterday, the Minister said that the draft policy focuses on safety and security aspect of women, their economic upliftment and nutrition. To provide immediate assistance to women in case they fall victim to any kind of crime, she talked about installing a panic button in mobile phones. Ms Gandhi said, her Ministry is also considering to put in place a mobile application with panic button for the help of women in case of emergency.

The policy stresses on the need for making



cyber space safer for women, review Constitutional provisions to enable equitable and uniform entitlements for women and comprehensive social protection to address vulnerabilities of single women and protection of surrogate mothers.

On Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme, the Minister said that the scheme was successful in improving child sex ratio in the targeted areas particularly in Haryana. She said, sex ratio for girl has risen from 830 to 907 per thousand male child in the state. The draft policy has been uploaded on the Ministry's website for wider consultations with all stakeholders. The Minister has sought comments on the draft policy so that the final document can be a true reflection of the voice of all women.