Kerala: Department for women, children soon

Kozhikode: The much-awaited department for women and children, which was promised in the LDF manifesto and also in the  Governor’s address to the Assembly, may become a reality soon with all the stakeholders supporting the move. It has been felt for long that the  social justice  department should be bifurcated as it is overburdened.  The government had assigned  Mr V.K. Jithendran,  special officer, to hold  consultations with service organisations, staff of the social justice  department and activists and they  have given the go-ahead for the proposal.

“The  complex part is  bifurcating the SJ department,  assets, employees etc,” said Mr  Jithendran, former SJ department director. An  exclusive department will give more focus  on women and children, he added.The design and  the expenditure  of the prospective department were  yet to be finalised,   Mr  Jithendran said and added that  he  would submit his recommendation  to the government next month.  

Mr  Naseer Chaliyam,  member,   state commission for protection of child rights (KeSCPCR), said  that it would bring about more attention and care for the needy and positively change the perception in  society. According to Mr Anvar Karakkattil,  coordinator, Malappuram district Childline,  “the data reveals that abuse against women and children is on the rise. The task cannot  be completed by the booking of  perpetrators. Rehabilitation of the victims is vital which can be accomplished under  an exclusive department,” he said.