Port Blair, Oct. 21: The Andaman and Nicobar Police organized an Interaction Programme on “Women in Police and Gender Sensitization" on 19th October, 2019 at Police Headquarters, Port Blair. Hon’ble Chairperson, National Commission for Women, Ms. Rekha Sharma, was the Chief Guest of the programme. The Director General of Police, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Shri Dependra Pathak, IPS, Inspector General of Police, Law and Order, Shri Madhup Kr Tewari, IPS, Inspector General of Police, Headquarters, Shri Sanjay Kumar, IPS, all Superintendents of Police, Deputy Superintendents of Police, Station House Officers and women officers of Andaman & Nicobar Police also attended the programme.  The primary objective of the interaction programme was to sensitize officers on gender issues and empower the police force with the ability to perform their duties more effectively and without prejudice and discrimination. The interaction programme also gave an insight into the role played by Andaman and Nicobar Police in breaking the gender stereotypes and in ensuring the safety of women and children in the islands.

Addressing the gathering, the Director General of Police, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, stated that crime against women is a very sensitive subject and needs to be handled by Police and Society with a heightened sense of sensitivity and empathy. He further stated that women need to be sensitized regarding their rights and the remedies available to them in Indian Constitution, Indian Penal Code as well as in Local & Special Laws.

Touching upon the issue of deep rooted patriarchy, the Hon’ble Chairperson, National Commission for Women, in her address, stated that Gender is a social construct and police has to play a very important role in breaking the stereotypes and in ensuring justice to the victims of crime against women. She also stated that there is a need for shift in policing in India from “force” to “service”. She also congratulated the efforts of Andaman & Nicobar Police in ensuring the safety of young women and girls in the Islands.

Earlier, in the beginning, Ms. Usha Rangnani, IPS, Principal, Police Training School, welcomed the gathering and highlighted the main objectives of the programme. She also gave a small presentation on the representation, roles and responsibilities of women in Andaman and Nicobar Police, and the proactive role being played by A&N Police in safeguarding the Rights of Women and Children in the islands, through various sensitization and awareness programmes, self defense training for women and children, prompt response to emergency/distress call by women and increased visibility of police in high footfall & vulnerable areas. 

The programme ended with a detailed question and answer and deliberation session, in which the participants exchanged views on the role of family, religion, media, career and profession in the process of gender discrimination. The Superintendent of Police (CID), Shri Ravi Kumar Singh, IPS presented vote of thanks to the Chair and all participants