NEW DELHI:
The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi has ordered for removal of contractual staff working in the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW). It is alleged by the Department of Women and Child Development, that the staff was appointed by the DCW without LG’s approval. Former DCW Chairperson and AAP Rajya Sabha MP, Ms. Swati Maliwal, vehemently criticized the LG’s decision to order the removal of DCW staff on frivolous grounds, denouncing it as negative politics and counterproductive for an organization that has made significant strides in serving the women of Delhi. She questioned the timing of the order, noting it was issued only after her tenure as the Chairperson of DCW had concluded.
Disputing the claim in the order that 223 individuals are employed at DCW, former DCW Chairperson Ms.Swati Maliwal clarified that the actual number is 90, out of which 82 are contractual and 8 are regular. She further stated that in actuality there are zero sanctioned posts. “The accomplishments of DCW are the result of collective effort of the DCW staff, not solely my own. Over the past 8 years, DCW has handled over 1,70,000 cases, 181 Women Helpline has received over 40 lakh distress calls, and counseling has been provided to over 60,000 sexual assault survivors through the Crisis Intervention Center program,” she added.
The former DCW Chairperson affirmed, “The Commission has conducted over 2.5 lakh ground visits through Mobile Helpline Program, more than 50,000 community meetings have been conducted, and over 2 lakh cases have been taken up by ‘Mahila Panchayat’. Further, the Commission has provided support to women in over 2 lakh court cases through the Rape Crisis Cell, and over 500 policy level recommendations have been sent to the government. While, the previous DCW Chairperson had dealt with only one case over 8 years.”
Expressing concern for the employees who have lost their jobs, Ms. Swati Maliwal highlighted that many of them are survivors of crimes, acid attacks, and domestic violence who have dedicated their time and energy to serving other women in the country. Some of the employees who lost their jobs because of the order, were orphans living in shelter homes, and were employed in DCW.
She emphasized the disparity between the number of employees and the magnitude of the tasks performed, questioning whether 8 people could effectively manage the responsibilities of DCW.
Ms. Swati Maliwal criticized the authorities for their inaction against individuals such as Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna. This move of the LG aims to render DCW as ineffective as other women’s commissions in the country, emphasizing DCW’s role as a fearless advocate for women’s rights. She urged for the allocation of funds and staff to DCW and demanded the withdrawal of the order.
Ms. Swati Maliwal stated, “The move of LG to remove the staff of the Delhi Commission for Women is against the women and girls of Delhi. They are trying to gag the Commission. If the order is implemented, DCW programs like 181 women helpline, Rape Crisis Cell, Crisis Intervention Centre, Mahila Panchayat, Acud Attack and Rehabilitation Cell and others will close down. If they have anything against me, let them put ED, CBI behind me, let them put me in Jail. But I will not allow them to play with the safety and security of women and girls of the Capital.”
