Cuttack: Several women police officers serving across various police stations in the state recently came forward to allege workplace harassment and discrimination in promotion during a conference held in Cuttack.
Organised by Odisha Police, a state-level women’s police conference — said to be the first of its kind in the country — was held at the Odisha Special Armed Police (OSAP) 6th Battalion premises in Cuttack Friday where several issues being faced by women police officers were discussed.
Taking part in the discussion, many officials said that their allegations were not being taken seriously or properly investigated.
The conference was attended by four women IPS officers, one SP, 12 DSPs, 12 acting DSPs, 24 inspectors, 14 sub-inspectors, 4 ASIs, 2 habildars, 3 lance naik and 4 constables. These were divided into four teams.
The team, led by western range DIG Kavita Jalan, discussed the hindrances in promotion of female police officials. Similarly, the team led by Sundargarh SP Soumya Mishra discussed sexual harassment in the workplace. The female police officers and staff who participated in the discussion expressed their views on the subject.
Senior officials highlighted issues such as incompetency among female officers, childbirth issues, and several other issues affecting the work of female officials. The discussion also focused on providing a safe working environment, special uniform design for women employees, leave for menstruation and maternity leave.
Addressing the conference as the chief guest, DGP Abhay said that the IICs of 102 police stations in the state are women, excluding the women’s police stations. Women constitute 20 per cent of the total police force in the state – highest in the country. He further added that efforts are on to take the number to 50 per cent in coming days.
PNN