Women’s safety and gender bias have long been serious concerns in Haryana, prompting the state government and the police department to take appropriate measures. Discussions on addressing discrimination and violence against women often emphasize empowering women and granting them additional rights to seek justice. As part of these efforts, the Haryana State Women Commission (HSWC) is actively working to ensure the safety and rights of women.
In this regard, the HSWC is organizing an International Women Summit in Faridabad on January 11-12. This summit, the first of its kind in the country, aims to address women’s issues on a large platform. The event will feature sessions with eminent speakers focusing on women’s safety rights, multistage harassment, gender bias, gender discrimination, social exclusion, and contemporary issues.
The summit will host 21 distinguished female personalities and experts, including Rashmi Sawant, the first female Indian president-elect of the Oxford University Student Union; Kalait Ammu Sanyal, a representative of the World Bank, Washington DC, USA; Darakshan Andrabi, the first female Chairperson of J&K Wakf Board; Salma Sultan, a renowned TV anchor; and Shaida Praveen, Former MLA Gauri Sawant, a prominent face of the transgender community.
Keynote speakers and experts from five countries—Seychelles, Nepal, Australia, Moldova, and America—will participate. Notable personalities like Meghana Malik, a TV personality known as Ammaji in the ‘Na Aana Is Desh Lado’ serial, and Manushi Chillar, former Miss Universe and film star, will also join the summit.
Renu Bhatia, the Chairperson of HSWC, highlighted that the commission’s objective is to ensure women’s interests and safety. The two-day International Women Summit starting on January 11 will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Manohar Lal, with Governor Bandaru Dattatrey as the chief guest at the closing ceremony.
The statistics reveal a concerning scenario, with approximately a thousand incidents of crimes against women occurring every month in Haryana. Major crimes, including rape, gang rape, murder, assault, molestation, and kidnapping, are widespread. In the first 11 months of the previous year, over nine hundred cases of rape were reported, indicating a serious situation. Gurugram and Faridabad, both falling in the NCR, top the list for crimes against women, accounting for 16 percent of reported incidents.
The alarming statistics underscore the urgent need to address women’s safety and related issues. Serious complaints range from domestic violence and harassment to sexual exploitation, assault, dowry demands, rape, and gang rape. Efforts to curb crimes against women are essential, especially in districts like Gurugram and Faridabad, where the incidence of such crimes is high.