Northeast much safer for women than other parts of India: NCW chief Rekha Sharma

Chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW), Rekha Sharma today said that the Northeastern region is comparatively safer for women than other parts of India.

Rekha Sharma was in Shillong to attend a Regional Capacity Building Workshop Promoting Entrepreneurship among Indigenous Women of NER Based on Non-Timber Forest Produce.

Speaking about how safe women are in the Northeastern region, she said, “I can say that the Northeast is still very, very safe for women if you compare with the plains of India or the north of India. The kind of cases which are brutal against women are more prevalent elsewhere. But there should not be even a single case of crimes against women. Women should feel safe and secure anywhere and everywhere and for that, NCW is working tirelessly.”

Speaking about the rising numbers of crimes against women in Meghalaya, she said that the rising number of reported cases of crimes against women attributed the increase to heightened awareness and proactive media coverage.

She said, “Women are now aware of their rights and they are coming forward and speaking. That is why we see that number is increasing.”

She lauded the police’s efforts in handling these cases and said, “police are working around the clock for the safety of the women but, I think we need to work on this everywhere.”

Rekha Sharma also assured to intervene on the issue of single mothers if they are forced or raped.