Shillong, Mar 21: Police Training School, Umran conducted a one day “Symposium on Women Safety” sponsored by Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), New Delhi, at the State Convention Centre here on Monday. Special Director General of Meghalaya Police, I. Nongrang, attended the inaugural function as Chief Guest.

Recognising that the objective of the Symposium is to consolidate the efforts of all stakeholders to ensure the safety, security and well being of women and children in the state, Nongrang informed that there are 16 laws to address various issues pertaining to women and 13 rights which are guaranteed to all women under the aegis of the constitution. Despite the plethora of laws and regulations, she questioned why the crimes against women have not gone down in any way rather it has seen an increase. In the state of Meghalaya, despite being a matriarchal society, she said they haven’t been able to bring down the crimes against women.

She expressed hope that the symposium will not only discuss the problem but also how to go about implementing and ensuring the safety and security of women in Meghalaya.

Nongrang also said that the state police have been able to crack down on organised violence or insurgency related violence but other entices like violence by intimate partners, violence in the workplace, violence in public places, women’s safety is still a cause of concern. Therefore, she hoped that the symposium would go a long way in addressing the safety and security of women in the state.

The inaugural session was followed by sessions on the topics; Legal Provision & Latest Amendment Act relating to Women & Children, Overview on POCSO Act 2012, Medico Legal Challenges, Prevention of Sexual Harassment at work place, Mechanism to handle sexual harassment at work place, Domestic Violence Act and Presentation on Case Study on Trafficking of Women & Children. A panel discussion on Investigation on rape & murder cases was also held during the day.