‘Avoid Night Shifts For Women’: West Bengal After Kolkata Crime

In response to mounting concerns following the tragic rape and murder of a female doctor in Kolkata, the West Bengal government has issued new guidelines to enhance the safety of women medical professionals. Chief Minister’s Principal Advisor Alapan Bandyopadhyay announced the initiative, named “Ratiirer Sathi” (Night Companion), aimed at protecting women doctors.

Bandyopadhyay stated that efforts will be made to minimize night duties for female doctors wherever possible. He outlined a comprehensive safety plan that includes the deployment of women-friendly security personnel across all medical colleges and hospitals. This plan also encompasses the creation of secure zones with extensive CCTV surveillance, separate restrooms for women doctors, and a specialized app linking them directly to local police stations.

To further bolster security, the initiative mandates that all women doctors download the new safety app and participate in regular night patrols conducted by local police. The new policy also suggests that shifts be organized so that women doctors can work in pairs during night hours.

The state government has urged private medical institutions to adopt these safety measures as well. This policy will be implemented across Kolkata and its districts, ensuring a balanced ratio of male to female security personnel.

The heightened focus on women’s safety comes in the wake of the brutal murder of a second-year postgraduate medical student at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. The young doctor was found dead under mysterious circumstances, leading to widespread protests and strikes by medical professionals across the country. They are demanding capital punishment for the accused and heightened security measures in hospitals.

This initiative aims to address the serious safety concerns and improve the working conditions for women in the medical field, reflecting the urgency of ensuring their protection in all professional environments.