From Outrage to Action: Time To Strengthen Safety for Women in Workplaces and Schools

The norms would be laid down, serious discussions would take place, demands would be placed, and compliances would be expected in the aftermath no doubt.

The least and the immediate action that is expected by women probably is to take stock of the reality. All the establishments need to start assessing whether the establishment has sufficient facilities for women working with them. For educational institutions, the facilities and safety measures for girls too need evaluation.

A panel or a steering committee is to be formed for collecting, analysing and giving suggestions. A master plan needs to be prepared, noting all the necessary changes required to be made for it. Some points probably are already covered or exist, but what more is needed to avoid any future unpleasant experience or crime can be listed. They can be complied with in concrete phases.

This would result in concrete suggestions. All the members of the institution may be requested to give their views or an inclusive group where every sector of an institution would be represented can be formed.

Officially surveys may be conducted to collect all the recommendations. The group members of the committee may conduct discussions with small groups to identify their difficulties. The teachers in schools and higher education institutions can interact with students to get their ideas, suggestion boxes can be placed for them to give submission in writing. At least for this project duration of time should be specified to collect information. The parents too can be requested to participate in the exercise when educational institutions work on it. All should know about it. All the recommendations need to be carefully analysed, and a blueprint is to be prepared. This is not an exercise for fault finding, this is a measure to make a foolproof plan to prevent any abominable incident.

The final draft is to be shared with the employees.

The primary and pre-primary children find it difficult to express their suffering. The teachers dealing with this section should be trained to identify the students in distress, they need to be given good support by counsellors. Teachers who regularly engage the same groups for at least one year can notice the signs of infelicitous episodes to a great extent. Students too have faith and good connections with teachers, they can confide in them. They may open their heart and divulge the details of the distressing experience. There are many examples of domestic abuses or exploits that are solved because of the vigilant eyes of teachers. The pain that is endured by the students even outside the campus can catch the attention of a teacher. Some help can be made available, and even the support of police can be sought. There are unfortunately many practices that exist in some communities, many such occurrences get some outlet and of course support if teachers are vigilant.

Higher education institutions too need to support the students in distress, but at least the students are mature and can express their problems. They can seek the help of counsellors to find some solution. If course at this level too unimaginable problems exist, a strong mechanism is required to support students.

Every establishment ought to have the correct mechanism in place to address the obnoxious encounters faced by the staff members. The complaints are to be addressed and the action is to be taken. The legal provisions are to be applied and speedy action within the time limit probably can create a healthy and safe environment at a workplace.

We expect women to contribute to society, use their potential fully and help in the progress of society. In such a situation it is imperative to develop a conducive environment, it is not a favour. This is also an integral part of our culture. The land of worshipers of Kali Mata, Laxmi and Saraswati cannot escape this expectation.