The Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson and Member Sujata Pakrashi Lahiri, and the Media Consultant of the WBCW visited Bolpur, regarding two cases of rape, where a 15 year old girl was allegedly gangraped and another 15 year old was gangraped by her father and other accused people.
The Chairperson also held a meeting with the DM and the SP of the district of Bolpur.
The WBCW held an in house meeting with the Protection Officers to prevent the spread of Domestic violence, in the NIC Hall of Jalasampad Bhawan.
The Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson, Members Sujata Pakrashi Lahiri and Debjani Chakraborty, and the Media Consultant of the WBCW visited the Correctional Home at Purba Medinipur.
The Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson, Members Sujata Pakrashi Lahiri and Debjani Chakraborty, and the Media Consultant of the WBCW visited the Shelter Home, Prabuddha Bharati Shishutirtha.
The Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson, Members Sujata Pakrashi Lahiri and Debjani Chakraborty, and the Media Consultant of the WBCW visited the family of a girl who committed suicide at Debra.
The Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson, Members Sujata Pakrashi Lahiri and Debjani Chakraborty, Member Secretary, T.D. Sherpa, IAS, and the Media Consultant of the WBCW visited the area affected by arson, Bogtui.
A meeting with the DM of Birbhum was also held by the WBCW.
The Vice Chairperson, the Member Secretary and the Media Consultant of the WBCW visited the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit in the RG Kar Hospital, where a victim of rape has been admitted by the police.
The Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson, Member, Sujata Pakrashi Lahiri and the Media Consultant of the WBCW visited the Block IV of Narendrapur. A complaint had been submitted from here.
On the 29th of March, 2022, a Seminar & Awareness Camp on Domestic Violence was organised by WBCW.
The WBCW collaborated with Netaji Nagar College & Hiralal Majumder College for Women
It was presided over and attended by: Leena Gangopadhyay, Chairperson, Mohua Panja, Vice-Chairperson, and Dr. Dipanwita Hazari and Sujata Pakrashi Lahiri, Members, alongwith Subhadeep Bhattacharjee, Media Consultant.
An awareness camp on breast cancer was organised at Kanpur, Howrah.
It was inaugurated and attended by the Chairperson, WBCW.
International Womens’ Day Celebrated by St. Xavier’s College, Calcutta at their Raghavpur Campus, alongwith National Service Scheme.
Attended by the Chaiperson and Member Sujata Pakrashi Lahiri, alongwith Subhadeep Bhattacharjee, Media Consultant.
Womens’ Day celebrated by WB WCD & SW alongwith WB Commission for Women.
Attended by the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and other Members of the WBCW alongwith Subhadeep Bhattacharjee, Media Consultant.
On 8 March, 2022, Womens’ Day was celebrated by Barrackpore Police Commissionerate, felicitating the Women Police Officers. It was attended by the Honourable Chairperson, WBCW.
The Quarterly Police Meeting was held by the WBCW. It was attended by:
Leena Gangopadhyay, Chairperson
Tashi Dhendup Sherpa, IAS, Member-Secretary
Dr. Dipanwita Hazari, Member
Debjani Chakraborty, Member
Sujata Pakrashi Lahiri, Member
Maria Fernandes, Member
Subhadeep Bhattacharjee Media Consultant
A girl had been found murdered, with suspicions of possible rape. The Chairperson, Leena Gangopadhyay, alongwith Member Debjani Chakraborty and Media Consultant Subhadeep Bhattacharjee, visited the spot, for discussion with the police and with the family of the deceased.
A girl’s body had been found mangled by the railway line in Malbazar. The Chairperson, Leena Gangopadhyay, alongwith Member Debjani Chakraborty and Media Consultant Subhadeep Bhattacharjee, visited the spot, for discussion with the police and with the family of the deceased.
On the 17th of February, 2022, Leena Gangopadhyay, Chairperson alongwith Members Dr. Dipanwita Hazari, Debjani Chakraborty, Sujata Pakrashi Lahiri, and Media Consultant Subhadeep Bhattacharjee, conducted a workshop and seminar on the prevention of Domestic Violence with the local women of Amodpur, Birbhum.
On the 6th of February, 2022, Leena Gangopadhyay, Chairperson alongwith Members Dr. Dipanwita Hazari, Debjani Chakraborty, Sujata Pakrashi Lahiri, and Media Consultant Subhadeep Bhattacharjee visited a housewife at Shantipur, who had reported that her parents-in-law had thrown her out of her marital home. The team had a word with both parties.
On the 3rd of February, Members Debjani Chakraborty, Sujata Pakrashi Lahiri and Media Consultant, Subhadeep Bhattacharjee, visited the Ashaneer Home in Madurdaha.
On the 2nd of February, Srovonti Bandopadhyay, Member and Subhadeep Bhattacharjee, Media Consultant visited the Bhalobasha Swadhar Greh in Madhyamgram.
On the 2nd of February, Srovonti Bandopadhyay, Member and Subhadeep Bhattacharjee, Media Consultant visited the Swadhar Greh Sukanya Home in Saltlake.
On the 31st of January, Debjani Chakraborty and Sujata Pakrashi Lahiri, Member and Subhadeep Bhattacharjee, Media Consultant visited the Swadhar Greh Mahila Seva Samity I and II.
On the 31st of January, Debjani Chakraborty and Sujata Pakrashi Lahiri, Member and Subhadeep Bhattacharjee, Media Consultant visited the Ashadeep Swadhar Greh.
On January 28, 2022, a police meeting was held at the WBCW Conference Room. It was attended by:
Leena Gangopadhyay, Chairperson
Tashi Dhendup Sherpa, IAS, Member-Secretary
Dr. Dipanwita Hazari, Member
Debjani Chakraborty, Member
Sujata Pakrashi Lahiri, Member
Maria Fernandes, Member
Subhadeep Bhattacharjee Media Consultant
On January 20, 2022, a Spot Visit was done, whereas a lady’s articles were handed over to her by her in-laws in the presence of the WBCW and the Sonarpur PS Police. Members Debjani Chakraborty and Sujata Pakrashi Lahiri were present.
On January 1, 2022, the Chairperson, alongwith members Debjani Chakraborty and Sujata Pakrashi Lahiri conducted a District Visit at the District of Coochbehar.
On 31 December, 2021, the Chairperson, alongwith members Debjani Chakraborty and Sujata Pakrashi Lahiri conducted a District Visit at the District of Coochbehar.
On the 29th of November, 2021, Leena Gangopadhyay, Chairperson, Mohua Panja, Vice Chairperson, alongwith Members Maria Fernandes, Debjani Chakraborty, Sujata Pakrashi Lahiri, and Media Consultant Subhadeep Bhattacharjee, conducted a workshop and seminar on the prevention of Domestic Violence with thecollege students at Parimal Mitra Smriti Mahavidyalay, Mal, Jalpaiguri.
On the 28th of November, 2021, Leena Gangopadhyay, Chairperson, Mohua Panja, Vice Chairperson, alongwith Members Maria Fernandes, Debjani Chakraborty, Sujata Pakrashi Lahiri, and Media Consultant Subhadeep Bhattacharjee, conducted a workshop and seminar on the prevention of Domestic Violence with the local women at Raganj Block, Jalpaiguri.
On the 28th of November, 2021, Leena Gangopadhyay, Chairperson, Mohua Panja, Vice Chairperson, alongwith Media Consultant Subhadeep Bhattacharjee, visited the Darjeeling District Correctional Home.
On the 26th of November, 2021, Leena Gangopadhyay, Chairperson, Mohua Panja, Vice Chairperson, alongwith Members Maria Fernandes, Debjani Chakraborty, Sujata Pakrashi Lahiri, and Media Consultant Subhadeep Bhattacharjee, conducted a workshop and seminar on the socio legal awareness for gender discrimination.
On Septmeber 1, 2021, the Chairperson alongwith the Vice Chairperson and Members visited the National Medical College in Calcutta, to address the issue of an acid attack victim.
On August 12, 2021, the Chairperson alongwith, Members Srovonti Bandopadhyay and Debjani Chakraborty visited the National Medical College in Calcutta, to address the issue of an woman who had complained to be victim of violence by mob.
A woman was allegedly raped and murdered on the night of the 31st of December, 2020. The Chairperson, alongwith Members and the Media Consultant visited Taki, where the complainant, the brother of the deceased was asked to come, and a consultation was held with the police.
A viral facebook video about an old lady who had been thrown out of her house made WBCW send a team to investigate into the matter of the woman who had been allegedly thrown out of her home by her son.
On 10 March, 2021, a WBCW did a raid after recieving a letter form a complainant, saying that someone was doing fraudulent business of casting for serials in lieu of money. A raid was conducted with the help of Police from the Regent Park PS.
Womens’ Day celebrated by WB WCD & SW alongwith WB Commission for Women.
Attended by the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and other Members of the WBCW alongwith Subhadeep Bhattacharjee, Media Consultant.
On the 3rd of March, the Chairerson, Leena Gangopadhyay, alongwith Members Sujata Pakrashi Lahiri and Debjani Chakraborty, alonwith Media Consultant Subhadeep Bhattacharjee visited Nimta, where an assault on a senior citizen had been reported.
On the 24th of February, a deputation was submitted to the WBCW.
On the 3rd of February, 2021, the Chairperson, Leena Gangopadhyay conducted an in-house meeting with the Bengal Police in the presence of the Vice-Chairperson, Mohua Panja, and other Members of the WBCW.
On the 20th of January, 2021, an IN-House Legal Workshop was conducted for the Members and staff of the WBCW. The Cheif Guest was Smt. Durga Khaitan, Member-Secretary, State Legal Service Authority.
On the 23rd of December, 2020, the Chairperson, Leena Gangopadhyay conducted an in-house meeting with the Bengal Police in the presence of the Vice-Chairperson, Mohua Panja, and other Members of the WBCW.
On the 16th of December, 2020, the Chairperson, Leena Gangopadhyay conducted an in-house meeting with the Bengal Police in the presence of the Vice-Chairperson, Mohua Panja,and other Members of the WBCW.
On the 12th of December, 2020, the 25th Paribarik Mahila Lok Adalak was held at the WBCW Office, in Saltlake Kolkata.
On the 9th of September, 2020, the Chairperson, Leena Gangopadhyay conducted an in-house meeting with the DC Cyber Cell of Kolkata Police in the presence of the Vice-Chairperson, Mohua Panja, and Members Srovonti Bandopadhyay and Sujata Pakrashi Lahiri.
On the 9th of September, 2020, the Chairperson, Leena Gangopadhyay, and Member Srovonti Bandopadhyay, visited Nilanjana Chatterjee, the braveheart who got her shin bone crushed while trying to save a woman from being molested in a car.
On the 19th of February, 2020, the Chairperson of the WBCW, Leena Gangopadhyay, alongwith Members Dr. Dipanwita Hazari and Maria Fernandes visited the District of Purba Medinipur.
The following facilities were visited by the Honorable Chairperson and the team:
On the 24th of February, 2020, the Chairperson of the WBCW, Leena Gangopadhyay, alongwith Members Dr. Dipanwita Hazari and Maria Fernandes visited the District of Purba Medinipur.
The following facilities were visited by the Honorable Chairperson and the team:
• Medinipur State Correctional Home
• Prabuddha Bharati Shishu Tirtha, Kharagpur
• Meeting at the Office of the District Magistrate with the DM and SP
of the District.
• Panel Discussion on Domestic Violence
On the 19th of February, 2020, the Chairperson of the WBCW, Leena Gangopadhyay, alongwith Members Dr. Dipanwita Hazari and Maria Fernandes visited the District of Purba Medinipur.
The following facilities were visited by the Hon’ble Chairperson and the team:
• Haldia Sub Correctional Home
• Swadhar Greh run by Nimtouri Tamluk Unnayan Samity
• Tamluk Sub Correctional Home
• Meeting at the Office of the District Magistrate with the DM
and SP of the District
On the 17th of January, 2020, the Chairperson of the WBCW, Leena Gangopadhyay, alongwith Members Srovonti Bandopadhyay and Dr. Dipanwita Hazari held a Workshop in the District of Birbhum in the block of Mayureswar-II.
The workshop was attended by 150 tribal women.
On the 17th of January, 2020, the Chairperson of the WBCW, Leena Gangopadhyay, alongwith Members Srovonti Bandopadhyay and Dr. Dipanwita Hazari held a Workshop in the District of Birbhum in the block of Mallarpur.
The workshop was attended by 100 tribal women.
On the 3rd & 4th of January, 2020 the Chairperson visited the District of Purulia. The visit consisted of visits to the Anandamath Home, the Purulia District Correctional Home, and meetings with the BDO and the DM of the district.
On the 28th of December, 2019, the 23rd PMLA was conducted.
On the 6th of December, 2019, the Quarterly Police Co-Ordination Meeting was conducted.
The Chairperson of the WBCW, alongwith members Srovonti Bandopadhyay and Sunita Saha visited the Saujatya Swadhar Greh, in Jadavpur.
The Chairperson of the WBCW, alongwith members Srovonti Bandopadhyay and Sunita Saha visited the Association for Social Health in India, in Bansdroni.
The Chairperson of the WBCW, alongwith members Srovonti Bandopadhyay and Sunita Saha visited the Swadhar Greh Run by Saujatya at Boalia, Garia.
The Chairperson of the WBCW, alongwith members Srovonti Bandopadhyay and Sunita Saha visited the Mahila Seva Samity, Swadhar Greh Unit – I
Gazipur Village, Sonarpur.
The Chairperson of the WBCW, alongwith members Srovonti Bandopadhyay and Sunita Saha visited the Mahila Seva Samity, Swadhar Greh Unit – II
Gazipur Village, Sonarpur.
The Chairperson of the WBCW, alongwith members Srovonti Bandopadhyay and Arpita Ghosh Sarkar visited the Shakuntala Ashram Swadhar Greh, run by Association for Social Health in India in Budge Budge.
The Chairperson of the WBCW, alongwith members Srovonti Bandopadhyay and Arpita Ghosh Sarkar visited the Aasra Home, in Deula, South 24 Parganas.
On the 26th of November, 2019, the WBCW conducted a panel discussion on cyber crime where police officers participated, and the cases of some of the survivors were presented before them.
On the 20th of November, 2019, the Chairperson of the West Bengal Commission for Women, Leena Gangopadhyay, along with members Srovonti Bandopadhyay, and Arpita Ghosh Sarkar visited the Bhalobasha Swadhar Greh in Gangarampur, North 24 Parganas.
On the 19th of November, 2019 Commission for Women, Leena Gangopadhyay, along with members Maria Fernandez and Arpita Ghosh Sarkar visited the Sanlaap Home in Narendrapur, South 24 Parganas.
The Chairperson of the WBCW, alongwith the Members Srovonti Bandopadhyay and Dr. Dipanwita Hazari attended a Panel Discussion on the topic Violence on Women, organised by The Bengal Obstetric & Gynaecological Society.
The Chairperson of the WBCW, Leena Gangopadhyay, Members Srovonti Bandopadhyay, Prof. Maria Fernandez, and Media Consultant Subhadeep Bhattacharjee visited the alleged rape victim who had been forcibly picked up by two goons from a private shelter home in Panchasayar, which was in the newspapers.
On the 9th & 10th of November, 2019, the Chairperson of the WBCW, Leena Gangopadhyay visited the District of Birbhum.
The visit consisted of visits to the three Swadhar Grehs she had visited earlier in April this year, a Swadhar Greh in Rampurhat, and two Correctional Homes.
On the first day she visited, Elmhirst Home, Bolpur, Asha Swadhar Greh, Suri, and Anandadhara Swadhar Greh, Purandharpur.
On the second day she visited the Pushparag Niketan, Rampurhat, Siuri District Correctional Home, and Rampurhat Sub-Correctional Home.
She looked into the condition of the Shelter Homes and the Correctional Homes, and enquired if there were improvements, or if the home authorities had implemented the recommendations done by the WBCW earlier.
The Chairperson also held a meeting with the local NGOs who work in the upliftment of the local Tribal women, and discussed in length about their state and welfare of these women.
On the 18th of October, 2019, Hon’ble Chairperson of the WBCW, Leena Gangopadhyay alongwith Member Srovonti Bandopadhyay visited the district of Darjeeling.
The visit consisted of a visit to the Darjeeling Central Correctional Home, where the Chairperson and the Member met and talked to the female inmates of the correctional home.
On the 17th of October, 2019, the Hon’ble Chairperson of the WBCW, Leena Gangopadhyay alongwith Member Srovonti Bandopadhyay visited the district of Jalpaiguri.
The visit consisted of a visit to the Jalpaiguri Central Correctional Home, where the Chairperson and the Member met and talked to the female inmates of the correctional home.
From here they went to the Ujala Home, adjacent to the Nijaloy Home, where they talked to the inmates about their well-being.
On the 17th of October, 2019, the Hon’ble Chairperson of the WBCW, Leena Gangopadhyay alongwith Member Srovonti Bandopadhyay visited the district of Siliguri.
The visit consisted of a visit to the Siliguri Special Correctional Home, where the Chairperson and the Member met and talked to the female inmates of the correctional home.
The Chairperson also held a meeting and talked to the local NGOs, in how they are working on tackling trafficking from the tea garden areas in Northern Bengal.
On the 24th of September, 2019, the Chairperson of WBCW, Leena Gangopadhyay, and Members Srovonti Bandopadhyay, Maria Fernandes, Sunita Saha, Dr. Dipanwita Hazari, Arpita Ghosh Sarkar visited the district of North 24 Parganas.
This included a visit to the Central Correctional Home, Dumdum, and the meeting at the DM’s Office with the DM, the ADMs, the ASPs, the SDOs, the Dy. DMs, the DLSA Members, and the DCPs of the district.
On the 23rd of September, 2019, for the first time, the WBCW conducted a workshop on the property rights of women, which was presided over by Adv. Sanjib Kr. Mal, High Court, Calcutta, and Adv. Asmita Roy Chowdhuri.
The Workshop was presided over by Leena Gangopadhyay, Hon’ble Chairperson of the WBCW.
A lot of complainants were present, who discussed their problems with the esteemed speaker.
On the 19th of September, 2019, the Chairperson of WBCW, Leena Gangopadhyay, and Members Srovonti Bandopadhyay, Maria Fernandes, Sunita Saha, Dr. Dipanwita Hazari, Arpita Ghosh Sarkar and the Member Secretary, Mr. Norbu Wangdi Bhutia visited the district of South 24 Parganas.
This included a visit to the Womens’ Correctional Home, Alipore, and the meeting at the DM’s Office with the DM, the SPs, and the DSPs of the district.
On the 6th of September, 2019, the West Bengal Commission for Women arranged for a Police Co-Ordination Workshop, with Sutanutir Sakhya, a service provider NGO which works on various women related issues.
The Member Secretary, Mr. Norbu Wangdi Bhutia, IAS, opened the workshop with a note of welcome. The main speakers were Advocate Abhijit Dutta, and Prof Saswati Ghosh.
They spoke at length about what the police should do in case of a domestic violence complaint, why was it different from other complaints, and why it needed to be handled with care.
On the 2nd of September, 2019, the Chairperson of WBCW, Leena Gangopadhyay, and Members Srovonti Bandopadhyay, Maria Fernandes, Sunita Saha, Dr. Dipanwita Hazari, Arpita Ghosh Sarkar visited the district of Howrah.
This included a visit to the Anandam Old Age Home in Pancharul, Udaynarayanpur, followed by a Meeting with the DM, SP, ADM, Officers of DLSA, and Members of NGOs who work with women, from the district of Howrah.
On the 26th of August, 2019, the WBCW organised the quarterly police co-ordination meeting, with the ACPs, and DCPs of different branches of police from across the state of West Bengal.
The WBCW put forward a list of pending cases to the police, as well as made a lot of victims talk to the police officers directly so that they get relief from the hardships that they are facing.
On the 25th of August, 2019, the Chairperson of WBCW, Leena Gangopadhyay, and Member Srovonti Bandopadhyay, paid a visit to Basudebpur Road, Behala, where the murder of a 47 year old woman, Shampa Chakraborty had been reported.
On the same day, the Chairperson of WBCW, Leena Gangopadhyay, and Member Srovonti Bandopadhyay, paid a visit to Kalighat Road, where a senior citizen, Shyamali Bhattacharjee had been physically assaulted by her neighbour.
On the 17th of July, 2019, the West Bengal Commission for Women organised a One Day Workshop in collaboration with the Department of Political Science and IQAC of the Bijaykrisha Girls’ College in Howrah, Sensitizing young women about Domestic Violence.
The workshop was attended by the students and the professors of the Bijoy Krishna Girls’ College, Howrah, Shibpur Dinabandhu Institution College, Shibpur, Narasingha Dutta College, Howrah, Uluberia College, Uluberia, and Aamta Ramsaday Colllege, Aamta.. The Minister Arup Roy presented the inaugural speech. The Chairperson of the WBCW, Leena Gangopadhyay presided over the meeting in the presence of the Members of the WBCW, Dr. Dipanwita Hazari, Arpita Ghosh Sarkar, Jayita Sinha and Prof. Maria Fernandes, the Member Secretary Mr. Norbu Wangdi Bhutia, the Principal of the College Dr. Ruma Bhattacharya, and DSP of Barrackpore, Papiya Sultana.
The Chairperson sensitized the College students about what constitutes of Domestic Violence, and the legal redressal that a victim/ survivor of Domestic Violence can avail from the government.
The public service short film made for sensitization of domestic violence was also shown to the students, as the Chairperson and the Members of the WBCW answered vital questions that the students had about how to tackle domestic violence.
On June 16, 2019, the WBCW Chairperson, Leena Gangopadhyay, alongwith Members Srovonti Bandopadhyay and Dr. Dipanwita Hazari visited the District Capital of Dakshin Dinajpur, Balurghat. The District Visit consisted of a visit to the Correctional Homes and meetings with the DM and SP of Balurghat.
On June 16, 2019, the WBCW Chairperson alongwith Members Srovonti Bandopadhyay and Dr. Dipanwita Hazari visited the Balurghat Central Correctional Home at Balurghat, where they had a word with the inmates and looked into the conditions of their living, recommending necessary upgrades.
On June 16, 2019, the WBCW Chairperson alongwith Members Srovonti Bandopadhyay and Dr. Dipanwita Hazari conducted a meeting with the DM of the Dakshin Dinajpur District at Balurghat, where the DM, the SP, the DLSA Officer and the Protection Officers were present among other important government officials, and they discussed agendas about how to tackle menaces like Domestic Violence and Trafficking, the latter especially important since Dakshin Dinajpur is a district lying on the Bangladesh border.
On June 15, 2019, the WBCW Chairperson alongwith Members Srovonti Bandopadhyay and Dr. Dipanwita Hazari visited the District Capital of Dakshin Dinajpur, Raiganj. The District Visit consisted of a visit to the Correctional Homes and meetings with the DM and SP of Raiganj.
On June 14, 2019, the WBCW Chairperson alongwith Members Srovonti Bandopadhyay and Dr. Dipanwita Hazari visited the Raiganj District Correctional Home at Raiganj, where they had a word with the inmates and looked into the conditions of their living, recommending necessary upgrades.
On June 15, 2019, the WBCW Chairperson alongwith Members Srovonti Bandopadhyay and Dr. Dipanwita Hazari conducted a meeting with the DM of the Uttar Dinajpur District at Raiganj, where the DM, the SP, the DLSA Officer and the Protection Officers were present among other important government officials, and they discussed agendas about how to tackle menaces like Domestic Violence and Trafficking, the latter especially important since Uttar Dinajpur is lying on the Bangladesh border.
On June 14, 2019, the WBCW Chairperson alongwith Members Srovonti Bandopadhyay and Dr. Dipanwita Hazari visited the District of Malda. The District Visit consisted of a visit to the Correctional Homes and meetings with the DM and SP of Malda.
On June 14, 2019, the WBCW Chairperson alongwith Members Srovonti Bandopadhyay and Dr. Dipanwita Hazari visited the Malda District Correctional Home at Malda, where they had a word with the inmates and looked into the conditions of their living, recommending necessary upgrades.
On June 14, 2019, the WBCW Chairperson alongwith Members Srovonti Bandopadhyay and Dr. Dipanwita Hazari conducted a meeting with the DM of the Malda District, where the DM, the SP, the DLSA Officer and the Protection Officers were present among other important government officials, and they discussed agendas about how to tackle menaces like Domestic Violence and Trafficking, the latter especially important since Malda is a border area.
On June 4, 2019, the WBCW Chairperson alongwith Members Srovonti Bandopadhyay and Dr. Dipanwita Hazari visited Baruipur where the NGO Human Rights Council had arranged for distribution of clothes to the needy on the occassion of Eid.
On 13 May, 2019, the WBCW hosted a Seminar on the topic of Prevention of Dowry, and Divorce in the WBCW Conference Hall. The seminar was Presided by the Chairperson of the WBCW, Leena Gangopadhyay, while the keynote speaker was Sudeshna Roy, filmmaker.
The Member Secretary, and the other Members of the WBCW too were present at the seminar.
There were victims who had been summoned so that they would get a chance to talk to the experts about how to go on with their problems.
On May 8, 2019, a Seminar on the Problems of Senior Citizens was organised by the WBCW. The Seminar was Presided over by the Chairperson of WBCW, Leena Gangopadhyay, and the Chief Guest was Sanghamitra Ghosh, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare. The Member Secretary and other Members of the WBCW too were present.
The other Panelists were Shri Arup Kr. Kolley, ACP, HQ, Bidhannagar Commissionerate, and Banalata Paul of Sanjhbaati.
NGOs like Help Age India and Alzheimer’s Society of India too were present in the discussion.
Some of the victims were also asked to speak up and discuss their problems with the esteemed panelists.
On April 28, 2019, WBCW Chairperson Leena Gangopadhyay and Members Srovonti Bandopadhyay and Dr. Dipanwita Hazari visited the Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital to see an acid attack victim, who had been allegedly administered acid by her husband.
The Chairperson and the Members looked into the current medical condition of the victim, had a word with the victim and her family, and has assured to look into the matter.
I
On April 14, 2019, the Chairperson visited the Swadhar Greh Homes in Birbhum, namely Elmhurst, Asha and Anandadhara.
The Chairperson had a discussion with the inmates and looked into their comforts and discomforts.
On April 10, 2019, a workshop on Prevention of Trafficking of Women was organised by the WBCW. The speakers were Indra Chakraborty, IPS, Tapati Bhowmick, Secretary of Sanglaap. It was presided over by the Chairperson of the WBCW, Leena Gangopadhyay and attended by members from various NGOs who work on saving trafficked girls.
Both the speakers talked about how modes of trafficking has changed nowadays. Earlier it used to be torture to coerce the girls into this profession, whereas nowadays it is more of luring them in with smart phones and a lavish lifestyle that they could never imagine of. Plus, a lot of girls are lured through social media.
The speakers also said that the traffickers had different strategies for luring girls from different districts and when the police would go after them, it is generally the small agents and brothel owners who are caught. The big traffickers and chunks in this business are generally untraceable.
What both the speakers, from their experience noted was that the traffickers had evolved with their modus operandi. Thus to save the girls from being trafficked, it is the need of the hour for the Police, the NGOs, the Civil Society, and the Government Bodies to converge, so that the fight against trafficking is a holistic one, and lesser girls will be trafficked this way.
On the 10th of March, 2019, the West Bengal Commission for Women organised a celebration of International Womens’ Day in the Rabindra Okakura Bhawan, which was presided over by the Chairperson of WBCW, Leena Gangopadhyay, and attended by MoS, for Women & Child Welfare and Social Welfare, Ananya Chakraborty, West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Secretary, and other dignitaries. It was also attended by the poet Mandar Mukhopadhyay.
The WBCW distributed monetary prizes and trophies to excpetional women, who had done something in life or were survivors.
The WBCW organised a Police Co-ordination meeting on February 22, 2019, where they were informed about the list of the suo-moto cases, whose police reports have not yet been recieved by the WBCW yet.
It included cases from all over the State, and covered around 8 districts.
On 12 February, 2019, the Chairperson of the WBCW, Leena Gangopadhyay visited the District of Purbo Midnapore alongwith Members Srovonti Bandopadhyay and Dr. Dipanwita Hazari.
They visited Pallikatha in Basudevpur, a Swadhar Greh home for economically supportless, deserted women, who are victims of trafficking, domestic violence etc.
On 7 February, 2019, the Member Secretary of the WBCW, Mr. Norbu Wangdi Bhutia visited the district of Purulia, where he attended a Meeting organised by the District Administration, visited the Correctional Home, and the Government Shelter Homes, Anandamath.
The meeting by the District Administration was attended by the ADM, ASP, a number of NGOs, and Family Counselling Centres.
On 6 February, 2019, the WBCW Members Srovonti Bandopadhyay, Dr. Dipanwita Hazari and Prof. Maria Fernandez visited the Jhargram Correctional Home. A meeting was set up at the local DM Office in the presence of Smt. Ayesha Rani, DM, T. Balasubramanyam, ADM, and Arijit Sinha, SP, Jhargram.
On January 30, 2019, the West Bengal Commission for Women organised a seminar on Domestic Violence and its remedies. The keynote speaker to the seminar was former Magistrate, Kalpana Dey, and it was attended by the Chairperson, Leena Gangopadhyay and other Members of the WBCW, as well as representatives of NGOs from around the state, who help in the upliftment of women.
The keynote speaker said that there are laws to tackle Domestic violence, but till there is a holistic widespread awareness campaign, the laws will never be out to good use and the society won’t move forward.
Only if women come forward and go to the police, to report their individual stories of violence, they will be able to bring around a positive status quo in the society.
The police too need to tackle the situations very carefully, so as to help these women in distress as soon as they can.
She concluded with the fact that this can be used by not only wives, mothers or sisters, but live in partners, domestic help, or any woman who has been a victim of domestic violence
Some statistics came to the fore for the year of 2018, which are elucidated as the following:
On the 30/10/2018, the Chairperson, Leena Gangopadhyay, and members Srovonti Bandyopadhyay, Dr. Dipanwita Hazari & Narbu Wangdi Bhutia, IAS, Member-Secretary of this Commission visited the district. From the District administration the ADM (Dev.), District Police Officers, DSWO and representatives of NGOs were present.
The Chairperson and the Members suggested a psychologist or a psychiatrist for the inmates, increase the remuneration of the doctor, rehabilitation of the inmates who were from other states, to their native states, and improvement of overall living conditions.
A panel discussion on cyber crime, its nature and its remedies was organised by WBCW, which was presided over by the Chairperson of WBCW, Leena Gangopadhyay, and was attended by the other members of WBCW< Members of NGOs.
The speakers were Sabyasachi, IPS, DIG (P&W) and Prof. Dr. Kavita Singh, Associate Prof, WBNUJS.
The DIG of Calcutta Police, IPS Sabyasachi spoke about how the vast and omnipresent cyberspace has become a hub of all sorts of activities which also includes people trying to make fool of others.
He talked about how one should protect him or herself in case of a violation of his or her rights on the cyberspace.
Prof. Dr. Kavita Singh, Associate Prof, WBNUJS. talked about how the women were prime targets of pornographic stuff on the net, and the steps they should follow to be safe. She mentioned that these steps apply to everyone as well.
The WBCW organised a seminar on December 4, 2018, in observance of the International Fortnight Protesting Violence Against Women, for the year 2018.
An opening note was delivered by the Chairperson of WBCW, Leena Gangopadhyay, followed by a speech from Prof. Saswati Ghosh, who was the chief speaker. There were accounts of the survival stories by three survivors, and a note of thanks from the Member Secretary, Norbu Wangdi Bhutia, IAS.
The Chairperson welcomed all, and talked on how the atrocities of women need to be stopped at any cost, and how the police must take more responsibility in this matter.
Keynote Speech: Prof. Saswati Ghosh, HoD, Department of Economics, City College.
Prof Saswati Ghosh, minced no words and got to her speech as soon as she started, armed with a powerpoint presentation.
She said that patriarchy still exists in the form of something as seemingly harmless as a forwarded joke, which are anti female most often than not, and are shared by women.
She also pointed out the history of this International Fortnight Protesting Violence Against Women. How it came to being to recognise the fight against the misrule of the Dominican Premier Trujillo, by three sister, Patria, Maria Teresa and Minerva Mirabelle.
The three sisters, also called Butterflies by their media, and the Dominican people had managed to build up a public opinion against Trujillo since their college days. This however had not ended nicely for them, they were taken out of their cars while travelling, beaten till death, and their bodies had been re-inserted into the cars before being thrown off the cliff. This had happened on November 5, 1968.
In 1999 the UN declared this day as the start of the International Fortnight Protesting Violence Against Women.
Dr. Hajari spoke of the menace female foeticide was, how it was reported that in other states, public announcements are made, to determine the sex of the child before it is born, and people are advised to kill if it is a girl, simply because they are told if one spends Rs 5000 now, they can save Rs 5 lacs, and save themselves from shame if it a girl later on.
Public Service Announcement Documentaries created by the WBCW on CHILD MARRIAGE, ACID ATTACKS were shown. These will be disseminated in the future to spread awareness against these social malpractices.
Prof. Maria Fernandes, Member and Mr. Narbu Wangdi Bhutia, IAS, Member Secretary of West Bengal Commission for Women visited Coochbehar on 28/12/2018.
The District Magistrate, Mr. Kaushik Saha, WBCS(Exe.), the Superintendent of Police, Mr. Abhishek Gupta, IPS, SDOs, representative of 2 NGOs, CWC, Child Welfare Committee were present for the District Administration meeting.
Prof. Maria Fernandes, Member and Mr. Narbu Wangdi Bhutia, IAS, Member-Secretary of West Bengal Commission for Women visited the Coochbehar District Correctional Home on 28/12/2018. The Superintendent of the Correctional Home, Mr. Debasish Roy, Warden and other officials were present.
Prof. Maria Fernandes, Member and Mr. Narbu Wangdi Bhutia, IAS, Member Secretary of West Bengal Commission for Women visited Alipurduar on 27/12/2018.
The District Magistrate, Mr. Nikhil Nirmal, IAS, the Superintendent of Police, Mr. Sunil Yadav, IPS, SDOs, representative of 5 NGOs were present for the District Administration meeting.
Prof. Maria Fernandes, Member and Mr. Narbu Wangdi Bhutia, IAS, Member-Secretary of West Bengal Commission for Women, visited the Alipurduar District Correctional Home on 27/12/2018. The Superintendent of the Correctional Home, Medical Officer, Wardens and other official were present there.
The Women Cell capacity was for 25. There were 6 inmates and 2 children. All were from Alipurduar. Five were under trial & one had been convicted.
The Hon’ble Chairperson, members Prof. Maria Fernandes and Ms. Srovonti Bandyopadhyay visited Paschim Bardhaman, Asansol on 07/12/2018.
Administration present were: ADM (Dev.), Dy. Magistrate, DOMA, DSWO, SDO etc. and from Police Commissionerate – The DCP, DP, Suptd. of Correctional Home.
The report presented by District; Population of Women 13,84,452 (48%) sex ratio 943 females out of 1000 males. Literacy rate 65.55%. SHG 2288, Anganwadi Helper 2,379, Women Police Station 2. Domestic Violence is 141, Kannyashree-I 41,544 & II 6253 (2017-18) and Kannyashree-I 36,327 & II 5179 (2018-19).
Government Widow Pension, 872 beneficiaries. Inmates in correction home 10. ICC has been formed in District Administration. 1 SHW case existed and also disposed.
Ms. Leena Gangopadhyay, Chairperson, West Bengal Commission for Women took the chair and initiated discussion after welcoming the participants.
Although senior police officers of the three wings of police administration were found absent in the meeting and expressed pleasure for meeting the designated Nodal Officers of West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police for better monitoring of cases at the district / division level.
The Chairperson asked the selected complainants to narrate their
grievances. Nine applicants were present who narrated their grievances one by one.
It was the first time the Commission had invited district level police officers as well as victim women with a view to make the complaints resolution mechanism more vibrant and responsive.
The Commission then tabled lists of total 289 cases pending in the
various police authorities and tabled 20 important cases for detailed discussion and requested concerned police authorities to give special attention to the cases for early remedial action.
The Chairperson, Leena Gangopadhyay, Vice-Chairperson, Ratna Ghosh Kar, Members Srovonti Bandyopadhyay, Arpita Sarkar Ghosh, W.B. Commission for Women visited Paschim Medinipur District on 29/11/2018. ADM, DSW, Protection Officers, SDOs, DSP and NGOs were present.
The representatives of the Administration acknowledged of creating awareness programmes to fight domestic violence with the help of the Commission and would send requisition to the Commission for three Documentaries – Acid Attack, Domestic Violence, and Child Marriage
The WBCW visited the Paschim Medinipur District Correctional Home at Midnapore on 29 November 2018.
The observations were that the inmates need to be engaged in skill development activities, in an otherwise neat and clean Correctional Home.
The WBCW Chairperson visited Nadia district on 22/11/2018. A meeting was curbing Trafficking, a point of concern in the district. The areas discussed:
The WBCW visited the correctional home at Krishnanagar, Nadia on 22 November, 2018.
The observations were that the living conditions had to be improved, since the rooms were stuffy and not fit for the inmates to live in. The WBCW recommended the Correctional Home to avail proper medical care with skin specialists, engagement of the inmates in skill development programs, inclusion of recreational activities, and fitting of panels on the windows to stop entry of the mosquitoes.
A WBCW team consisting of the Chairperson, ViceChairperson and members, Ms. Sunita Saha, Prof. Maria Fernandes, Ms. Jayeeta Sinha, Dr. Dipanwita Hazari, Ms. Archana Sarkar, Ms. Srovonti Bandopadhyay and Ms. Arpita Sarkar Ghosh visited the women inmates of Central Correctional Home, Dumdum. Present were DIG, Correctional Service, Superintendent of Correctional Home, Welfare Officer, 2 (two) social workers.
The Commission talked to the inmates of the Correctional Home about their living conditions and comforts and discomforts.
Inmates who had been engaged in skill building activities were experts in their fields like teaching, two inmates were BA 3rd Year College students.
District meeting of South 24-Parganas was held on 5th September 2018 at DM conference. The team consisted of Prof. Maria Fernades, Ms. Joyeeta Sinha and Ms. Sunita Saha. The District Administration present was ADM Dev., Addl. SP, Baruipur, SP, Sundarban, Inspector DHS, DSWO, SDOs, District Child Welfare, NGOs, Sanlaap, Banglanatak, BGS etc. and trafficked victims. 29 Blocks-Village Level Child Project (VLCPC).
This Commission visited Hooghly District on 11/06/2018. The team consisted of Vice-Chairperson, Ratna Ghosh, members Prof. Maria Fernades, Dr. Dipanwita Hazari, Arpita Sarkar Ghosh and Member Secretary Norbu Wangdi Bhutia, IAS.
The district visit was in 3 parts (i) DM conference with complete Hooghly District Administration (ii) Correctional Home visit (iii) Home visit.
There was participation from the total district administration. DM Sanjoy Bansal, IAS, Commissioner of Police, Chandannagar Ajay Kr. Gupta, IPS, SP Rural, Sukesh Kr. Jain, IPS, DCP(HQ). 7 DSP,SDOs, ADM, DSW, Ms. Madhumita Kundu, Protection Officer, ICs, Asst. CP, Spl. Br., District Information Cultural Officer, 3 Women PS Officers, Correctional Home Administration, District Public Nursing, CMOH, MLA Chinsurah, 2 BWO, Service Provider, Programme Officer, Education, 5 NGOs representatives, Block Officers and Sabhadhipati.
The topic – “Domestic Violence”. The DM detailed the following (i) Documentary Bharosa – Safety of girl child (ii) Jana Siksha Kendra – Sheltar Home Rescue help from police station and administration. Most of the cases were (i) Property matters (ii) Bangladesh repartriate (iii) Block level help is needed.
There were Service Provider from each Block. Number of cases of misguidance in marriage where a normal girl is married off to impaired by. Denied DNA. Pre Legal Aid is provided. Coordination / interlink.
The WBCW arranged a seminar on 30 July, 2018 on the topic of Dowry Prevention Act. The seminar was presided over by the Hon’ble Chairperson of WBCW, Leena Gangopadhyay, and was attended by Members of the WBCW, the Member-Secretary of the WBCW, members of NGO who work with acid victims.
Sutapa Chakraborty one of the main panellist in this field of Womens’ Rights spoke at length about how this still remains a malpractice in the 21st Century. And it crosses the barriers of religion, and leads to harassment of newly married girls, domestic violence, and death, and how all of this could be tackled.
he Vice-Chairperson, member, Prof. Maria Fernandes, Dr. Dipanwita Hazari, Sunita Saha, Srovonti Bandyopadhyay and Member Secretary Narbu Wangdi Bhutia, IAS visited Howrah District on 04/06/2018. The meeting and visit was in view of Dowry Torture.
The Commission visited the SMM House, Liluah, on the 5th of June, 2018.
Fish culture and Skill development is done help of Bibi Russell, NGO Christian Foundation, Sanlaap, IJM. The store was clean with nutritious food.
DM conference, present were ADM, Howrah, DCP (HQ), BDO, Protection Officer, DSP (Nodal officer), Mahila Samities, Service Providers, Legal officer, a NGO. Legal officer read out the Rules of Dowry Prohibition Act 1961 and its implementation of the Act. Protection Officer reported that from 2008 the Domestic Violence comes due to dowry. In 2017 total 1512 cases 503 cases filed. 12 Received Court Order. 273 were legal service. NGOs reported to 10 – 15 cases a day. Police mentioned 498A, Dowry Death in rural. Service provider maintained about child marriage.
The WBCW arranged a seminar on 28 May, 2018 on the topic of Prevention of Acid Attacks on Women. The seminar was presided over by the Hon’ble Chairperson of WBCW, Leena Gangopadhyay, and was attended by Members of the WBCW, the Member-Secretary of the WBCW, members of NGO who work with acid victims.
The Chief Guest was Dr. Shashi Panja, Hon’ble Minister of State for Women & Child Welfare and Social Welfare.
The acid attack survivors were also present who narrated their harrowing ordeals, and the help they had received from the WBCW in their struggle.
A WBCW team consisting of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Member, Prof. Maria Fernandes visited the Berhampore Central Correctional Home which was established in 1949 by the British (known as Berhampore Jail).
The Superintendent, Chief controller, Welfare officer, and other Controllers were present.
The Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson and the Members talked to the inmates to know about their living conditions, and to the officers present about how things could be improved.
A WBCW team consisting of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Member, Prof. Maria Fernandes visited the district of Murshidabad.
The visit to Murshidabad District consisted of two parts:
The District meeting was held in Rabindra Sadan, Berhampore well attended by women, some religious heads, Shilayan, NGO, from Administration the attendance was Addl. SP, (Lalbag), Angshuman Saha, Addl. DM, V.Goel, IAS, CMOH Nilupam Biswas, DPO, ICDS, DSWO, MPD, DSP, Asst. Director, CINI. Shilayan Home Children and CINI did stage performances. Thereafter the District Administration orated on performance and development of the District Murshidabad District. It is a minority population. Consisting of 70% minorities and balance 30% mixed. The Police and local Administration are jointly working on making the district A Child Marriage Free District.
Maku Baske (female) and Mondal Baske had been killed and burnt by their family members and other villagers on suspicions of being witches.
The Chairperson, Leena Gangopadhyay and Member, Dr. Dipanwita Hazari visited the spot on the aforementioned date.
They talked to the sons of the deceased and visited the spot where they had been cremated.
The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Member Srovonti Bandyopadhyay visited the Womens’ Correctional Home, Jalpaiguri. The Jailor and the Welfare Officer were present.
On 27 April, 2018, the WBCW organised a Seminar on Prevention of Harassment at Workplace.
The Seminar was Presided over by the Chairperson of WBCW, Leena Gangopadhyay, and was attended by the Members and the Member Secretary of the WBCW, Norbu Wangdi Bhutia, IAS.
IT was also attended by Members of NGOs like Developement Management Consultants, Sanhita, and GXP to name a few.
Many women who were victims had also come. They were asked to report to the WBCW, and advised for steps which might help get them relief, by the WBCW Members.
The Chairperson of WBCW visited the Womens’ Cell of Siliguri Correctional Home. The Superintendent of the Correctional Home, Jailor, Welfare Officer are also present there.
Tea gardens in North Bengal are still heritage of Bengal. The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and member Srovonti Bandhopadhyay visited these garden on 3/4/2018. Number of tea gardens Manabari (Jalpaiguri), Kumlai (Jalpaiguri), Bagrakot (Jalpaiguri), Red Bank (Jalpaiguri), Matigara (Darjeeling) and Sukna (Siliguri), some are closed by owners.
They observed that the owners of the tea gardens fail to keep commitments with the employees and pay much less than promised, there is a lack of medical facilities amongst a lot of other problems.
The Chairperson and the WBCW Members suggested that the owners will have to keep the commitments, so that the workers don’t have to move out looking for other modes of income. There should be a government body to regulate wages for the workers. Also, there should be facilities for female workers in case of medical emergencies.
The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Ms. Srovonti Bandopadhyay, Member visited the women cell of Kalimpong Correctional Home. Superintendent of the Correctional Home, Jailor, Welfare Officer were also present there.
Recently the sub-jail had been converted into a district jail.
The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and member Ms. Srovonti Bandopadhyay, visited the women cell of Kursiong Correctional Home, present Superintendent of the Correctional Home, Jailor, Welfare Officer were also present.
Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and member, Ms. Srovonti Bandypadhyay, visited the women cell of Darjeeling district Correctional Home, present were Superintendent of the Correctional Home, Jailor, Welfare Officer.
The Chairperson and the Members of the WBCW looked into the living conditions of the inmates, talked to them and discussed their situations, while suggesting ways in which the facilities of the Correctional Home can be bettered.
The West Bengal Commission for Women Chairperson Leena Gangopadhyay, and member of the Commission Srovonti Bandhopadhyay visited newly formed Kalimpong district and found the District Magistrate Mr. Viswanathan, IAS, proactive. He discussed plans and vision and program with the cooperation of NGOs.
Immense initiative is taken regarding of home stay for the tourist Professionals are hired in this field. The Women in Kalimpong are progressing, developing creative ideas with involvement of NGOs. Constructive work in handicrafts are highlighted which has potential and prospects. The DM provides assistance to them.
Kalimpong is a district consist of number of ethnic inhibitions scheduled tribes, with diverse culture, traditions and rituals. Provisions are being made for tourists experience the tribal cultures.
The Chairperson recommended that Kalimpong should have more women guides for the women tourists, and since there is a booming prospect of a film industry, women should also be trained for catering for film/serial shooting parties. It would create sources of income and employment.
On March 10, 2018, International Womens’ Day was celebrated at the Ahindra Mancha under the joint initiative of the WBCW and the Women and Childcare Department.
The Guests were Richa Mishra, member of social welfare authority, yesteryear actresses Sabitri Chattopadhyay and Madhabi Mukhopadhyay. The Chief Guest was the Hon’ble Minister Dr. Shashi Panja. Chairperson of Child Welfare Commission Ananya Chakrabarti, dansuese Alakananda Roy and Kohinoor Sen Barat and Manabi Mukhopadhyay were the other invitees.
The program was also attended by Ratna Ghosh, Vice Chairperson, the Member Secretary Norbu Wangdi Bhutia and other Members of the WBCW.
Present from this Commission were Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, members & officials. Police authorities Mr. Sabya Sachi Raman Mishra, IPS, DIG(PW),WBP, Ms. Neeloo Sherpa, IPS, DCDD-II, KP, Ms. Soma Das Mitra, IPS, SS,CID,WB, Ms. Mousumi Pal, ACP,DD,KP, Ms.Rina Roychowdhury, Inspector, DD,KP and Rajkumar Ash, UDA,WBPD.
The Commission enquired on total 249 cases which were pending for reports in various police departments. Detailed discussion was held on 10 important cases with request to police authorities to pay special attention and send cases for early action. Police assured on reports of these cases would be submitted shortly. Official Expressed Reports of few cases in the pending lists
were submitted to the Commission though not received by the Commission.
The Commission requested to resend police copies of the reports again. The three wings of police administration were requested to designate senior police officers in the rank of Dy. Commissioner to act as the Nodal officer for better coordination with PLCC (complaint section) and request that report be sent by special messengers to avoid miscommunication.
This Commission urged the police authorities to look into various matter seriously ensuring proper action on the complaints filed at the police stations by public, specially women.
On February 23, 2018, the WBCW arranged a seminar on the topic of Prevention of Domestic Violence.
The Seminar was presided over by the Chairperson of the WBCW, the leynote speaker was Madhupurna Ghosh, advocate, who spoke about how the gender difference is still a gap.
The main aim for the discussion was the Quick solution and relief for Victims of Domestic Violence.
The West Bengal Commission for Women visited the district of North 24-Parganas on 22/02/2018, meeting arranged by the district authority. Present were Addl. District Magistrate, Dy. Superintendent of Police, other police personnel, Protection officer of PWDVA. Representatives of NGOs, namely Jabala Action Research, International Child Protection, International Justice Mission, Sanlaap, Justice Care. The topic was on Human Trafficking.
The NGOs pointed out that curtail of Human Trafficking requires awareness, proper counselling, protection and compensation.
Police official shared on Chetana project, where the community and school awareness, self-defence, good touch, bad touch were done.
The Chairperson this Commission requested the police to register complaints of women as reported were alarmingly refused. The member Prof. Maria Fernandes sought report from the police regarding rescued women who re-escape to be trafficked –there was no feedback from them as ADM was questioned on population on statistics in North 24-Parganas, but no record.
The Chairperson gave a valuable suggestion to keep record of names and address of young girls working as domestic help or other work from the villages to towns or cities, in local P.S., names of the people touts who are taking the girls elsewhere, may also be registered by P.S., so that in future, an option be there for follow up of trafficked girls.
Senior police officials and the other participants exposed their views and opinions, with some statistics on trafficking. Interactive session was conducted.
The WBCW Chairperson and the Members visited the NILAJOY HOME Swadhar Greh and had a word with the inmates
The WBCW Chairperson and the Members visited the NIJALOY HOME Swadhar Greh and had a word with the inmates.
The Home housed inmates who were mainly trafficked, raped and have been cast out from their villages.
Even small children were living here.
On the aforementioned date, the Chairperson of the WBCW, along with 3 other Members visited a rape victim of Kushmandi, at Malda Medical College & Hospital.
In a case of extreme cruelty, a woman of age 28, had been gang-raped mercilessly, had been violated by an iron rod brutally, akin to the Nirbhaya Case of New Delhi, and left half dead in a pool of blood in a jungle. The incident had taken place on the 17th, she had been found almost a day after the incident.
The WBCW had a word with the police, and asked them to take necessary steps and arrest the culprits, while taking the medical report and condition of the victim.
On the complaint of Bipasha Mondal (name changed), the WBCW visited a misleading spiritual institution where there was a fake babaji holding women of different age groups.
25-30 women were found on the campus.
The Chairperson and members of this Commission observed a very strong criminal atmosphere in this so called spiritual Viswa-vidyalaya.
On the 2nd of February, 2018, the WBCW organised a seminar on Domestic Violence.
The seminar was presided over by the Honb’le Chairperson of WBCW< Leena Gangopadhyay and was attended by the Members of WBCW, the Member-Secretary of WBCW, members of NGOs, and respected panelists, Advocate Madhupurna Ghosh and Dr. Aditi Kishore Sarkar.
The panelists spoke at length about laws and how they protect women against domestic violence, and Dr. Aditi Kishore Sarkar presented a powerpoint presentation which helped her eplain the medical and the psychological problems to a great extent.
On the complaint of a suspended employee of a company, Members of the WBCW, Srovonti Bandopadhyay and Maria Fernandes visited the office, to meet the complainant and the Managing Director.
Hearing of both sides arranged by the MD of the concern. Officials present were MD, GM, Legal In-charge, HOD.
The Chairperson and Members Archana Ghosh Sarkar, Arpita Sarkar Ghosh, Sunita Saha, Dr. Dipanwita Hazari, Prof. Maria Fernandes, Joyeeta Sinha, Srovonti Bandyopadhyay visited the Old Aged Home Santineer for Women, South Garia, South 24-Parganas on 20/01/2018 at 2-00 P.M. The Hon’ble Minister of State, Women & Child Development and Social Welfare, Govt. of West Bengal, Dr. Shashi Panja, Joint Commissioner of Police (Admn.) Kolkata Mr. Sujoy Kr. Chanda, IPS were the Hon’ble Guests present, who spoke on traumas and problems faced by old aged in family and home
The Chairperson and the Members talked to the aged people living in the Home and enquired about their well being.
Police coordination meeting was held on 28/12/2017 at the WBCW office. The Chairperson and Members attended the quarterly meeting with senior police officers, representing West Bengal Police, Kolkata Police and CID, West Bengal.
The Chairperson enquired on cases referred by the Commission and requested for timely response from the police authorities for enquiry and report. A better coordination with the PLCC of this Commission was agreed upon.
The list of pending cases with different wings, some important cases were placed for discussion to seek quick action from the appropriate authorities present.
Police officials present pointed out of a few cases not received by
them. Though it was affirmed by Dr. Gopa Majumder (Pal), Counsellor, and O/C. of PLCC section of this Commission, of all those cases delivered by special messengers with due receipts the relevant papers would be resent by email again in a day or two.
On 8 December 2017, the West Bengal Commission for Women had organised a seminar on the Observance of International Fortnight Protesting Violence Against Women (25 November to 10 December).
It was held at the NIC Hall of Jalasampad Bhawan.
Special emphasis was put on domestic violence and how one can tackle this form of heinous crime at home.
The Programme was inaugurated by Dr. Shashi Panja, Hon’ble MoS, Women & Child Development and Social Welfare, Govt. of West Bengal.
The Hon’ble Chairperson Leena Gangopadhyay, initiated the discussion, along with eminent personalities like Sm.t Anuradha Kapur of SWAYAM, author and orator, Nrisinghaprasad Bhaduri.
The author, Nrisinghaprasad Bhaduri. put up an enlightening discussion, with reference to different religious beliefs and puranas.
The WBCW organised a workshop on Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace on 17 November, 2017.
The Workshop was principally based on the provisions and the amendments of Sexual Harassment at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal Act, 2013). The Workshop was inaugurated by the Chairperson, Leena Gangopadhyay. Dr. Shashi Panja, Hon’ble MoS, Dept of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, Govt. of West Bengal was present in the workshop as the chief guest, and elaborated her views on the subject.
There was a good response from the stakeholders who narrated their experiences in their respective workplace.
The Member Secretary, Shri NW Bhutia concluded the programme by giving his speech and vote of thanks.
The Chairperson, ViceChairperson and members, Ms. Sunita Saha, Prof. Maria Fernandes, Ms. Jayeeta Sinha, Dr. Dipanwita Hazari, Ms. Archana Ghosh Sarkar, Ms. Arpita Sarkar Ghosh, Ms. Srovonti Bandopadhyay and Ms. Archana Sarkar Ghosh visited the women inmates of Alipore Correctional Home. Present were DIG, Correctional Service, Superintendent, Welfare Officer, NGOs members and Missionaries.
The WBCW Chairperson, and the Members observed the living conditions of the jails, talked to the inmates about the conditions of the jails and looked around to examine the amenities they were being provided.
The WBCW organised the 21st PMLA or Paribarik Mahila Lok Adalat in collaboration with the SLSA or State Legal Sevices Authority, West Bengal on October 28, 2017, at the Office of the Commission, as a part of the administrative calendar.
The Honourable Chairperson, Leena Gangopadhyay, alongwith the Members, the Member-Secretary, and the staff of WBCW, were present at the PMLA.
A three member bench of judges comprising Sri Dipak Kr. Chatterjee, Distr. Judge (Retd.), Prof. Pratobha Sarkar and Smt. Jayita Samajdar, Advocates, were constituted for the hearing of the pre-litigated cases.
Out of the 10 pre-litigated cases, 7 cases could be amicably resolved.
The remaining three cases could not be resolved due to the non-appearance of the parties, who had mutually consented to appear and get their matters sorted.
On the 24th of October, 2017, West Bengal Women’s Commission had arranged a Panel Discussion, whose topic was, “Child Marriage is a Social Disease.”
Discussion on Child Marriage as a social evil and Distribution of wards to the braveheart girls who prevented their own marriages below legal age.
Panelists & Speakers
• Dr. Shashi Panja: Honourable Minister for Women and Child Welfare and Social Welfare, West Bengal
• Leena Gangopadhyay: Chairperson, West Bengal Commission for Women
• Ratna Ghosh, Vice Chairperson, West Bengal Commission for Women
• Roshni Sen, IAS, Principal Secretary, Woman and Child Development and Social Welfare in the State of West Bengal
• Ananya Chakrabarty: Chairperson, West Bengal State Commission for Protection of Child Rights
• Mandar Mukhopadhyay, Professor and Poet, Guest Speaker
• Urmimala Basu, Elocutionist, Guest Speaker
• Norbu Wangdi Bhutia: IAS, Member Secretary, West Bengal Commission for Women.
The Panel Discussion was attended by a lot of active members from a lot of NGOs and Self Help bodies, who are trying to combat the deeply ingrained social disease, namely, Child Marriage, which destroys the lives of young girls, destroys their health and well being and is a grave injustice to these girls and the society as a whole.
The Chief Guest, Dr. Shashi Panja , and the rest of the guests were handed over mementos by the esteemed members of the Commission, headed by the Chairperson Mrs. Leena Gangopadhyay.
The Chief guest, Dr. Shashi Panja, lighted the lamp to commence the panel discussion.
Mrs. Leena Gangopdhyay spoke about the necessity of stopping the unjust system of Child Marriage, which the visionary Ishwarchandra VIdyasagar had raised his voice against 200 years ago, and yet we are trying to free ourselves of the yoke even 200 years hence.
The Chairperson’s speech was followed by Awarding and Respecting the girls who stood up to child marriage, and stopped their own marriage, below the legal age.
This was followed by a speech from Ananya Chakrabarty, Chairperson, WB Commision for Protection of Child Rights. She said that these girls who had managed to stop their own marriages and stood up to the injustice, were indeed trail blazers, that Child Marriage is a problem that is peppering the society and the administration and awareness needs to be spread for tackling it.
Dr. Shashi Panja, the Chief Guest, then presented her speech, which included discussions on the legal provisions and aids, and sensitisation of the issue, so that the mindsets of the parents can be changed.
The poet and professor, Mandar Mukhopdhyay and the elocutionist Urmimala Basu then spoke of how teachers must come up and sensitise the issue, and the values must be inculcated into the parents of the girl children so that they may understand the gravity of the situation and not marry their girls off at a young age.
Roshni Sen, IAS, Principal Secretary, Woman and Child Development and Social Welfare in the State of West Bengal, spoke about the statistics that have put West Bengal at a better position than the National Average with respect to the Social Indicators like Mortality Rates, thanks to projects like Kanyashri, which has put the welfare of women in West Bengal on the World Map today.
The Programme was brought to an end by a Token of Thanks, and a Closing Lecture by the Member Secretary of the West Bengal Women’s Commission, Mr. Norbu Wangdi Bhutia, IAS.
A Panel Discussion and a Workshop on Prevention of Rape was organised by the WBCW on the 15th of September, 2017. The topic of the seminar was Rape is a Heinous Crime.
The Workshop was presided over by the Chairperson, Leena Gangopadhyay, and attended by Dr. Shashi Panja, MoA, Women & Child Development and Social Welfare Dept., Govt. of West Bengal, the Vice Chairperson Ratna Ghosh, other members of the Commission, eminent academic, Smt. Krishna Basu, renowned actor, Madhavi Mukhopadhyay and the Member Secretary. A lot of survivors too had been invited, alongwith members of NGOs.
There was a discussion between the panelists and speakers on the effects and trauma left by heinous crimes like Rape and Acid Attack, and how to eradicate these crimes. There were also discussions as to how the fear of severe punishment could be used as a means to strike fear into the offenders who perpetrate these horrible crimes, often destroying the lives and mental peace of victims.
There was also a fruitful discussion with the panelists and the stakeholders of the issue.
The Member Secretary ended the discussion with a vote of thanks to the distinguished audience members and the speakers.
The WBCW convened a Co-Ordination Meeting with the police authorities of WB: WB Police, CID, and Kolkata Police.
The DIG (Ops.), CID, WB, Addl. CP, Kolkata, OSD, O/o. the DOG, WB, and the Inspector of Police, CID, WB, attended the meet on behalf of the police authorities.
The Chairpeson, Leena Gangopadhyay, initiated the discussion and welcomes the representatives of the three wings of police administration.
The Commission tabled 310 pending cases in the districts and the Commissionerates for which the Commission requested special attention of the police authorities for early remedial action.
The Commission had also started 350 suo-moto cases during 2016 and requested the police authorities to enquire and report on the cases. The meeting came to an end with a vote of thanks from the Chairperson.
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