National Updates

Union Budget increases allocations for women’s development and healthcare

The Union Budget has allocated a tremendous increment for Delhi Police’s share of the Nirbhaya Fund, from 3.4 crore rupees in 2016-17 to 28.9 crore rupees in the 2017-18 period. The allocation was welcomed by the Delhi Police, who had written to the Home Ministry about requirements like CCTVs, police infrastructure and women empowerment activities. […]

Acid attack survivors to be included under the Persons with Disabilities Bill

Acid attack survivors have been added to the Persons with Disabilities Bill (PWD) along with persons afflicted with Parkinson’s disease, increasing the list of infirmities listed in the bill from 19 to 21. The amended bill entitles every child between 6 and 18 years with “benchmark disability” the “right to free education”. It has also […]

Expert panel recommends portability of welfare benefits for migrant workers

A working-group panel on migration has recommended, through a report to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, that food security and other benefits ought to be made portable for migrant workers, since they often lose access due to inter-state and intra-state migration. The expert panel’s suggestions pertain to benefits conferred under the affirmative […]

Health Ministry releases gender-sensitive resource material for adolescents

The Ministry of Health has made attempts to reach out to adolescents across the country, especially those in rural areas, on health issues through the engagement of 1.65 lakh peer educators called “Saathiya” under the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram. In this resource material, prepared by the Ministry in collaboration with United Nations Population Fund for […]

WCD working on a mechanism to ‘lock’ child pornography websites

Women and child development ministry is working on a mechanism to lock websites containing child pornography and is also developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) to curb abusive material online. As part of its efforts to check circulation of child pornographic content online, the ministry also plans to look into the role of social media websites […]

Rape survivors to be compensated for travel for criminal trial

Responding to a request by a US-based citizen who was raped in December, the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) has decided to provide air fare to victims to facilitate their timely appearance in court. Other reasonable expenses like lodging would also be reimbursed, against the Victim Compensation Fund or the Legal Aid Fund. Source: http://bit.ly/2qaEAFp

MWCD requires Aadhar cards for all street children

The Ministry of Women and Child Development released a Standard Operating Procedure which takes swift steps towards linking street children with Aadhar cards. Postmen would be incentivised for identifying and registering street children with Aadhar card, while a certified insurance agent will link them with health insurance. Portraying this as a positive move for the […]

Lok Sabha clears amendments to Maternity Benefits Act, 1961

The Bill increases maternity leave to six months, and requires private sector to have a crèche at the workplace if they employ more than 50 women employees. Promoting the ‘two child norm’, the Bill reduces leave in the case of a third child to 12 weeks. These benefits are available only to women in the […]