A Parliamentary Panel recently noted that the number of women in the Indian police forces is “abysmally” low, at a mere 10.3 per cent (https://hercircle.in/engage/get-inspired/trending/1-AllWomen-Police-Station-A-Must-For-Every-Indian-District-Parliamentary-Panel-2191.html). Following this, on Delhi Police Raising Day, Delhi Police Commissioner, Rakesh Asthana, announced that his department aims at increasing the strength of women in the Delhi Police force by 25 per cent of its total strength by the year 2025.
“The safety of women and vulnerable sections is a top priority for the Delhi Police,” Asthana was quoted as saying by PTI. “With the blessings of the home ministry, our target is to raise the participation of women police personnel to one-fourth of the total strength by 2025.” The Delhi Police chief also said that the force has started many community outreach programmes, like skill centres to train the youth who have deviated from the mainstream. These outreach and training initiatives are also extended to women.
Asthana also explained in his speech how the Delhi Police has always faced challenges head-on. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 79 Delhi Police personnel lost their lives, and yet, the force continued to work on the frontlines with doctors and health workers, and provided all possible assistance to citizens in need. Asthana also said that the Delhi Police has provided 30 digital services to citizens in the national capital region, including a complaint monitoring system.
*Image used for representative purpose.