What Is Rattirer Shaathi? How Does It Aim To Protect Women Working Night Shifts in West Bengal? All You Need To Know About Mamata Banerjee Govt’s New Initiative for Women’s Safety Amid RG Kar Hospital Incident
In response to widespread outrage following the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital, the West Bengal government, led by Mamata Banerjee, has launched a comprehensive safety programme named ‘Ratirrer Shaathi’ for women working night shifts across the state.
Kolkata, August 17: In response to widespread outrage following the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital, the West Bengal government, led by Mamata Banerjee, has launched a comprehensive safety programme named ‘Ratirrer Shaathi’ for women working night shifts across the state.
The initiative, named ‘Ratirrer Shaathi’ (Night Helpers), was announced on Saturday in a two-page release from the state secretariat. West Bengal Government Introduces New Measures for Women’s Safety Amid Protests Over Kolkata Doctor’s Rape and Murder, Limits Working Hours for Women Doctors; Check Details.
What is Rattirer Shaathi?
The programme aims to enhance the safety of women, particularly those in government-run institutions, and includes several mandatory measures. Key among them is the limitation of working hours for women doctors to a maximum of 12 hours, with an emphasis on minimising night shifts. Security protocols will be strengthened with mandatory checks and breathalyzer tests at all medical institutions, including superspeciality and district hospitals. RG Kar Hospital Vandalism: Kolkata Police Arrest 19 Accused After Mob Went on Rampage in Government Hospital Premises During Protests Over Junior Doctor’s Rape-Murder.
Rattirer Shaathi initiative also mandates the provision of separate rest rooms with attached toilets for women and the deployment of female volunteers, known as 'Ratirrer Shaathi', who will monitor safety during night shifts. These volunteers will also identify and secure safe zones within colleges, hospitals, and hostels. A dedicated mobile app, named after the initiative, will be launched, featuring an alarm system linked directly to local police stations. Emergency helplines 100 and 112 will also be integrated into the program.
Furthermore, all institutions are required to establish Vishaka Committees to address sexual harassment cases, if they do not already have one. The programme includes night patrols within medical colleges, hospitals, and women’s hostels. It also mandates the wearing of ID cards by all staff and faculty, and the inclusion of both male and female guards in security teams.
The launch of ‘Ratirrer Shaathi’ follows the tragic incident on 9 August, when the trainee doctor was found dead inside a seminar hall. Within 24 hours, the police arrested Sanjay Roy, a Kolkata Police civic volunteer, in connection with the crime.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 17, 2024 09:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).