Maliwal builds support for special session in Parl on women's safety

Following up on her suggestion to reserve one day in Parliament to discuss women’s safety, DCW chief Swati Maliwal met Union Minister Maneka Gandhi who pledged support to the idea and assured taking it up for further discussion.

The recently-appointed Delhi Commission for Women head had requested a special session in Parliament, on the lines of the session held by Delhi Assembly on Monday. She is also meeting Parliament Speaker Sumitra Mahajan towards the weekend to build support on the issue.  

“The meeting was very positive and encouraging. She (Gandhi) has decided to push the idea. She appreciated the work done by us till now and pledged all support to the commission,” 30-year-old Maliwal said, adding that the Women and Child Development

Minister also assured the DCW of funding by the Centre if needed.
Maliwal, along with the other three members of the commission, took up other issues including rehabilitation of sex workers on GB Road, Delhi’s largest red light area.

Appearing unfazed by the confrontation between the Delhi government and police, Maliwal said she wants to work with all agencies for safety of women in the capital.

“Everyone is ready to work for women’s safety, irrespective of confrontation. I am sure I will be able to coordinate with all agencies – the LG, Delhi government, Delhi Police and the Centre,” she said.

“This is the first step in a series of meetings with various agencies,” she added. She said the case filed by Somnath Bharti’s wife against him has been closed. “I was told by the member secretary that the case was closed here and is now with police,” she said. There are some 1,500 cases pending from the tenure of former DCW chief Barkha Singh, she added.  It’s a priority to complete those cases, she said.