Women’s body calls for appointment of panel chairperson

The Himachal Pradesh State Committee of All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) has expressed concern over the vacant post of the Chairperson of Himachal Pradesh State Commission for Women for the past three years and has demanded the state government to immediately appoint the Chairperson.

Dr Veena Vaidya, AIDWA state president, in a statement issued here, said the Women’s Commission was established to address issues related to crimes, atrocities and other forms of violence against women. “While the state government claims to work for the women empowerment, women who are victims of atrocities seek help from the commission first. They hope that their families will be protected, they will receive security and their legal rights will be restored,” she said.

“Today, thousands of cases from various districts remain pending with the commission, which are not being resolved. Women are waiting for justice for months, however, the state government has not even been able to appoint a Chairperson for the commission, which reflects the government’’s insensitivity towards issues being faced by women.

“Moreover, women prefer to approach the Women’s Commission before the police, as the judicial process is often very time consuming,” she added. “We demand the state government to immediately appoint a Chairperson or else the AIDWA will mobilise women and launch a mass movement against the government,” said Vaidya.