'Ensure speedy implementation of Verma panel's suggestions'

NEW DELHI: Welcoming Justice J S Verma Committee report, a number of women organisation today asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to ensure speedy implementation of the recommendations of the panel.

In a memorandum, the organisations also demanded adequate budgetary allocation to implement various laws for protection of women.

The memorandum emphasised the importance of rehabilitation measures, both short term and long term, so that victims of violence can be supported in their fight for justice.

They noted that majority of the victims belonged to economically and socially exploited sections, including dalits, adivasis, and other backward castes and classes.

The organisations which submitted the memorandum include All India Democratic Women's Association, All India Women's Conference, Centre for Women's Development Studies, Joint Women's Programme, All India Dalit Mahila Adhikar Manch, National Federation Of Indian Women, Muslim Women's Forum and Young Women's Christian Association.

"An important suggestion made by the report calls for a Bill of Rights for women which defines democratic and civil rights, the right to equality and non-discrimination, the right to reproductive and sexual health and the right to secure spaces apart from providing for rights to protect elderly women and women in distress.

"It has called for the creation of a new constitutional authority, like the CAG, to monitor women's rights and collect evidence in conflict areas," the organisations said.

Complimenting the Justice Verma panel for coming out with the comprehensive report within a short span of time, the women organisations, however, expressed disappointment over the panel not recommending fast-tracking of rape cases and no review of the dismal rehab schemes of rape survivors.

"The comprehensive amendments to the Law on Sexual Assault and harassment, the Criminal Law Amendment Bill, the Bill to address Sexual Harassment of Women at the Workplace should be presented and passed in the forthcoming session of Parliament," they said.