The latest case of the Kolkata Rape and murder case of a junior doctor has shaken the entire country. It was on August 9, 2024 when the body of the victim was found at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Ever since, protests for justice have shaken the entire country. After multiple rallies and protests, Chief Advisor for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee–Alapan Bandyopadhyay introduced a new set of safety measures for female workers, after multiple discussions with the ruling government, during a press conference.
The initiative titled– ‘Rattirer Shaathi’ (Helpers of the Night), has been introduced to strengthen the safety conditions and security in government hospitals, medical colleges, hostels, and other night-time workplaces. Check out the following.
- Designated Restrooms: Restrooms and toilets for women working night shifts will be designated areas with prominent signage.
- Mobile App: An alarm-equipped mobile application will be created for safety measures. This application will be connected to nearby police stations and control centres for prompt emergency warnings and is a must download for all women working night shifts.
- Assistance at Night: During night shifts, female volunteers, known as “Rattirer Shaathi,” will be available to offer assistance and guarantee security.
- CCTV Coverage: To guarantee ongoing surveillance, safe zones for women will be created and kept under observation by CCTV.
- Identity Tags: All staff members, including security workers, are required to wear identification tags. Hospital security will be assisted by the deployment of police.
- Regulation Regarding Work Hours: No employee, including physicians, is permitted to work more than twelve hours in a single day.
- Sensitisation Program: District-wide implementation of a program aimed at raising awareness among all public and private organisations about women’s safety is planned.
- Visakha Committees: If they haven’t already, all organisations are strongly encouraged to set up Visakha Committees to handle workplace sexual harassment.
- Pair Work Scheduling: In order to improve safety and responsibility during nighttime hours, organisations are recommended to develop work schedules that guarantee women work in pairs or teams.
- Emergency Helplines: Helplines numbers like 100 and 112 must be extensively used during emergencies.
- Security and Testing: Security checks and breathalyser tests will be conducted at medical and district.
Also Read: Kolkata Doctor Rape Case: 5 New Updates On The Crime That Took Place In RG Kar Medical Hospital
Apart from government, private hospitals and medical schools have also been asked to follow the ‘Rattirer Shaathi’ guidelines.Besides this, Police conducting night patrols in medical colleges, hospitals, and hostels will be mandated for more safety. The latest update in the case includes psychoanalysis of the main accused–Sanjay Roy by the CBI.
Also Read: Kolkata Doctor Rape And Murder Case: Nirbhaya’s Mother Demands Mamta Banerjee’s Resignation