‘DCW, GOVT TO PLAN GB ROAD REHABILITATION SCHEME’
Proposal on anvil for distribution of free sanitary napkin in school
Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) along with the Delhi government has started to formulate a scheme for the rehabilitation of the sex workers of GB road. Both the agencies are also planning to reach the schools of Delhi to distribute free sanitary napkins throughout the year, asserted DCW chief Swati Maliwal on Tuesday. “A place like GB road which is situated few kilometres from Parliament should be abolished,” said Maliwal.
She said that the DCW has already urged the government and working on a scheme which will plan rehabilitation of the sex workers at the GB road. “We want to give them proper rehabilitation because we believe that it is their work. I have visited the places various times and met many women there. They are forced to do the work and it is inhuman the way they are treated,” she said. The DCW Chief also said that she has urged the Delhi Police to install CCTVS at the GB Road. “I think that there is nexus which works in Delhi and they want places such as GB road stays because it benefits them,” Maliwal alleged.
She said that on the third day of its appointment, the Commission visited the infamous red light area of Delhi - GB road. The place is a living hell and houses over 5,000 women and girls in 90 brothels. Over the past three years, the Commission has demanded shutting down of the brothels and rehabilitation of the girls. “The business in GB road involves millions of rupees and runs through the active connivance of the local police. The Commission has rescued hundreds of girls from GB Road in the past 3 years,” she said.
Meanwhile, talking about the issue of sanitary napkins, Maliwal said, “I welcome the step of the Central Government to keep sanitary napkins out of the GST and it is achieved after a long struggle. I believe that with the help of the government we will be able to reach all the schools to distribute napkins in free.” She said that as the government has extended her tenure she will work on this issue in priority in her new term. “I can understand how important the sensitisation and distribution of sanitary napkins in schools is. I will work on the issue in priority basis,” said Maliwal.