In response to rising concerns over the safety of women and children, Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Cabinet Minister and Guardian Minister of Mumbai Suburban District, has directed the implementation of stringent safety protocols across schools and colleges. The initiative, starting September 1, 2024, is aimed at creating a secure environment for female students and preventing crimes against women and children.
Mandatory Safety Protocols in Educational Institutions
Minister Lodha has instructed the Mumbai Suburban District Collector to enforce several key safety measures. These include the installation of CCTV cameras across school premises, excluding washrooms, with regular monitoring by beat marshals and police patrols. Additionally, a female staff member will be assigned to supervise areas outside girls’ washrooms, ensuring that only female sanitation workers clean these facilities.
To further enhance security, it is now mandatory for all educational institutions to verify the background of their staff, particularly those involved in student transportation. Female staff members must be present on buses, taxis, and vans used for transporting students, and police verification of sanitation staff is required.
Self-Defense Training for Female Students
Recognizing the importance of empowering young women, the new guidelines mandate self-defense training in all Industrial Training Institutes and schools/colleges within the Mumbai Suburban area. Local NGOs will assist in providing these training sessions, equipping students with the skills needed to protect themselves in potentially dangerous situations.
Emergency Helplines and Parent Committees
In an effort to promote awareness and preparedness, schools are instructed to display posters informing students about emergency helplines like 1098 and 181. These posters will be placed in classrooms and common areas, ensuring that students know how to seek help if needed.
Furthermore, schools are required to establish a separate committee of female parents. This committee will hold monthly meetings to discuss issues related to girls’ safety, ensuring that the concerns of parents are addressed and that the safety measures are continuously evaluated and improved.
Conclusion
Minister Lodha’s comprehensive approach to safeguarding women and children in Mumbai Suburban District’s educational institutions reflects the government’s commitment to creating a safe and secure environment. With the implementation of these measures, schools and colleges are expected to become safer spaces where female students can focus on their education without fear.
