Govt seeks technological help to tackle crimes against women

The government is seeking help of technology companies and institutes for “innovative ideas” to tackle the issue of crimes against women and vulnerable sections of society.

The Union Home Ministry has now issued Expression of Interest (EoI) to technology solution providers, technology institutes and organisation in this regard.The move comes after Justice Usha Mehra Committee, formed after the December 16 gang-rape last year, recommended that technological solutions be used to fight against crime against women.

“The issue of safety of women and other vulnerable sections of society are engaging the attention of the police and concerned agencies in and outside the government. It is being increasingly felt that there is need for innovative ideas to tackle these issues and that effective use of technology can go a long way in ensuring safety,” the EoI said.

Officials said that proposals would be scrutinised by experts and the implementable ones would be shortlisted.

After the shortlist is made, the selected organisations and institutes will be asked to make a presentation before the expert panel and final selection will be made. The selected proposals will be circulated among the stakeholders for appropriate adoption, the officials said.

A United Nations sponsored study has said that 90 per cent of the women in Delhi, who participated in the survey, have said that they had experienced violence in public spaces at some time.

In its report, the Justice Mehra Committee has suggested a number of technological tools that could be used to prevent crime against women, including distress signal service for women.

The panel suggested that there should be some technology should be developed that on the pressing of a single button on a mobile phone or band on the wrist, a distress signal should be sent to the nearest police control room, PCR van and local police.