The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): The Ministry of Home Affairs has emphasized the importance of gender sensitization training for police personnel, recognizing the need for a more empathetic and informed approach towards gender-related issues. Policing, being a State subject under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, makes the state governments and Union Territories primarily responsible for this training. However, national institutions are also contributing significantly to this effort.
The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) in Hyderabad, the North Eastern Police Academy (NEPA) in Shillong, and the Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D) have integrated gender sensitization as an essential part of their training modules. SVPNPA has included special modules in its Basic Course training, Mid-Career Training Programmes (MCTPs), and Induction Training Courses (ITCs) for IPS officers. These modules cover various aspects, including gender sensitization in police station working, investigation processes, case studies, and scientific aids related to violence/crime against women, Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act, women and children’s security, legal provisions, handling victims, cybercrime threats, and policies for women in police.
Additionally, field visits are organized at SVPNPA to acquaint participants with special initiatives in gender sensitization. NEPA has conducted 13 courses on this subject, training 317 police personnel from 2021 to 2023. The BPR&D, through its Central Detective Training Institutes and Central Academy for Police Trainings, has conducted 9 courses and trained 407 stakeholders during 2023-24.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has also conceptualized the ‘Women Help Desks (WHDs) Scheme’ to supplement state and UT efforts in ensuring women’s safety. Under this scheme, WHDs have been established in police stations across the country, with each station receiving a funding of One lakh Rupees. So far, 13,557 WHDs have been set up out of the sanctioned 16,469 police stations. The WHD scheme aims to make police stations more women-friendly and approachable, serving as the first point of contact for women. These desks have access to a panel of experts, including lawyers and psychologists, and NGOs for support services like shelter, rehabilitation, and training.
This comprehensive approach, stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai, in the Rajya Sabha, reflects the government’s commitment to enhancing the sensitivity and responsiveness of police forces towards gender issues, thereby fostering a more inclusive and empathetic law enforcement environment.