Mamata Banerjee led a protest rally in Kolkata on Friday, calling for justice for the doctor and demanding that the culprits be hanged.
Photo: PTI
KEY POINTS
- The West Bengal government has introduced new comprehensive safety measures for women working night shifts.
- These measures were introduced amid ongoing protests over the rape and murder of a PGT doctor in Kolkata.
- These initiatives are called “Rattirer Shaathi” (night helpers).
Calcutta: Amid the current outrage over the rape and murder of a postgraduate student (PGT) at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, the Mamata Banerjee-led organisation Government of West Bengal New comprehensive safety measures for women were introduced. The initiatives, called “Rattirer Shaathi” (night helpers), were introduced with the aim of providing safe working conditions for women on night shift, in government hospitals and medical colleges, hostels and other places where women work during the night.
Among the safety measures introduced are provisions for separate toilets for women and safe zones for women will be created. These measures were introduced in the wake of the recent horrendous incident which sparked outrage among doctors across the country.
Guidelines of the Flagship Programme of the Government of West Bengal for the safety of women working on night shifts.
- There should be designated separate bathrooms with bathrooms for women.
- RATTIRER SHAATHI or female volunteers will be on duty at night.
- Safe zones Spaces for women will be identified and created with full CCTV coverage and monitoring.
- A special one Mobile phone application with alarm devices. A system will be developed which will be mandatory for all working women to download and will be connected to local police stations/police control rooms.
- Helpline No.The number 100/112 should be widely used during any panic or emergency situation.
- Safety check and breathalyzer test It will be carried out in medical schools and hospitals, super-specialty hospitals and district hospitals.
- All organizations will be asked to To create the Visakha Committee on sexual harassment of women in the workplace, if nothing is done.
- TO AWARENESS PROGRAM of all government establishments on issues related to women’s safety and urge private organizations to do the same. The program will be implemented in all districts.
- WORKING IN PAIRSOrganizations will be encouraged to design schedules for women to work in pairs or teams and be aware of each other’s movements during nighttime hours.
- Private institutions will also be encouraged to establish SHAATHI protocol for evaluators.
In addition, the following measures may also be adopted:
- Police patrols will be carried out at night in all medical colleges and hospitals, women’s hostels and other similar places.
- Adequate drinking water facilities shall be provided on all floors of hospitals etc.
- All teachers, staff, security guards, etc. in medical schools and hospitals must hang and display identity cards.
- Police will post a security officer in all medical colleges, hospitals and district hospitals to oversee overall security.
- The working hours of women, including doctors, must not exceed 12 consecutive hours.
- Wherever possible, night work by women should be avoided as far as possible.
- Security guards in government medical colleges and hospitals, district medical colleges and hospitals and hospitals should be a mix of male and female security guards.
Earlier in the day, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Saturday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a series of demands in connection with the brutal rape and murder of a young postgraduate doctor at the RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata.
The IMA has called for a “gentle intervention” to pass a central law to control violence against healthcare workers and declare hospitals as safe zones with mandatory security entitlements. The IMA is observing a nationwide suspension of non-urgent services for 24 hours from 6am on Saturday.
In a press release to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the IMA outlined a series of solutions and demands aimed at addressing the deep-rooted vulnerabilities that the tragedy has exposed.
It is worth noting that the IMA is observing a nationwide withdrawal of non-emergency services for 24 hours.
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