Decriminalising sex trade among suggestions at WCD workshop

NEW DELHI: Decriminalising prostitution after consulting sex workers, monitoring implementation of domestic violence laws and extending maternity benefits to adoptive and surrogate mothers were some of the suggestions made during a workshop organised here by WCD Ministry today.

Attended by 71 experts from across the country, the workshop was organised to brainstorm women welfare measures and schemes to evolve an appropriate policy intervention based on the assessment of women's economic, legal, political, education, health and socio-cultural needs.

The workshop saw participation of 22 officials from various ministries and 22 representatives of different non-government organisations.

Experts from diverse fields such as health, education, law, social sector, media and IT made recommendations on the basis of assessment of a report - 'Status of Women in India', prepared by a high-level committee appointed by the Women and Child Development (WCD) ministry.

"We want to convert the report's recommendations into a concrete action plan so that we know where we have to begin with," WCD Minister Maneka Gandhi said.

The experts also suggested bringing anganwadi and ASHA workers under labour legislation and hundred per cent access to toilets for girls in schools.

The report was commissioned by the Ministry in May, 2013 and is a culmination of two years of examining data and reports besides widespread consultation and intense research.