Claim the workspace for (more) women

On Tuesday, when a Supreme Court bench began hearing the case related to the rape-murder of a medic at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, it dealt with both generics and specifics. The generics pertained to ensuring a de facto policy is in place for the safety of female professionals - which, in turn, encourages, rather than actively discourages, more participation of women in the workforce. The specifics, especially to professionals in sectors like healthcare involving long hours, late-night work and a continuing disparity in gender participation both in terms of numbers and hierarchy, briefly dealt with nuts-and-bolts issues usually taken for granted - and, thereby, given the short shrift.

The national taskforce for institutionalising such conditions set up by the court bench follows last week's notice by National Medical Commission (NMC) to all medical colleges and hospitals to institute a policy for safe work environments. This must not be left in abstractions. Hospitals lacking rooms where staff members can rest after shifts - and RG Kar is just one among many - must have separate rooms for men and women. CCTVs must be actual functional repositories of vigilance, not just cosmetics on a 'to-do' list. And, above all, security personnel must be held accountable for doing their jobs, and not just for 'being there'.

The apex court said that Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act applies to hospitals. So, state governments should ensure committees are set up in hospitals. On its part, GoI needs to clarify that the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code applies to all places that employ 10 or more people. Getting more women working more - not less women working less - makes for safer workspaces.