Forging new partnerships among government, an academic institution and the UN system

Special cells for women and children in Maharashtra:

In partnership with the Office of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, (PAW) Maharashtra State Government, Department of Women and Child, Govt. of Maharashtra, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, efforts are being made to bring about an effective police response to women victims of violence. This partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed between UNIFEM, the Maharashtra State Government (through the Maharashtra State Police), the Department of Women and Child and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences.

The intervention involves, setting up 10 special cells for women in existing police stations in the state of Maharashtra (in collaboration with the Tata Institute of Social Sciences and the Director General of Police), gender sensitizing police personnel and placing trained social workers in police stations. These cells are being geared to provide holistic and integrated support services to victims of violence. They entail (1) Legal advice in registering criminal complaints, (2) trauma counseling to rebuild violated women’s self esteem, self worth and dignity, (3) assistance in establishing contact with other support services (medical, psychiatric, educational, and vocational), and (4) reconciliation with family, including family counseling. Legal literacy material is being developed for the community to make them aware of women’s rights. The ten cells are located at the Office of the Commissioner of Police (Mumbai), Dadar Police Station, Kandivilli Police station, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Nanded, Yeotmal, Aurgangabad and two other locations