Over 100 women participated in an interaction with police that the force believe would help change their perception of those in uniform and make them more approachable.
The Bidhannagar police commissionerate, in association with the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), recently organised a four-day training, Baaghini 2 (the second edition), for women empowerment.
Women from colleges and institutes, working women and homemakers received training in self-defence. They were taken to police stations for an understanding of their functioning. “This will help break inhibitions in the minds of women,” an officer said.
“There are apprehensions among women about police units or their work. They are inclined to believe the police are not approachable. We want to change that perception,” said Gaurav Sharma, commissioner, Bidhannagar police.
He said there were women victims who refuse to go to the police station and feel that lodging a complaint would malign them. “They need to know that there are laws,” he said.
A representative group was shortlisted for the interaction. The police hope the group will spread the message among their peers.
The training incorporated interaction with women officers, singer Usha Uthup and Bidhannagar mayor Krishna Chakraborty.
Psychotherapist and counsellor Minu Budhia said such interactions help reinstate women’s confidence in themselves, too. “Many women forget about their own existence because their children or families take priority. Recognising that they too exist is equally important,” said Budhia, founder of Caring Minds and chairperson of the ICC task force on special ability.
