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New Delhi : The National Commission for Women (NCW) on June 28, 2021, kick started a project series, ‘Training Programme of Protection Officers in addressing Domestic Violence’, in collaboration with Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), to address the specific needs of Protection Officers in responding to survivors of domestic violence.
The inaugural function was virtually attended by Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Zubin Irani, Chairperson NCW Rekha Sharma, and Lok Ranjan, Director, LBSNAA.
Irani, in her inaugural address, lauded the initiative taken by National Commission for Women. She said that Protection Officers bridge the gap between administration and justice for aggrieved women and it should be their priority to make it possible for the victims to access all the legal rights available to them. The Minister congratulated the NCW leadership for working 24/7 especially during the pandemic to help women in distress. She appreciated the various programmes initiated by the Commission such as its helpline for pregnant women and the present initiative to train Protection Officers, according to a PIB release.
Chairperson NCW, Rekha Sharma, shed light on the importance of the role of Protection Officers, who act as a facilitator between the aggrieved woman and the court. She said that the Protection Officer aids the aggrieved woman in filing of complaints, and application before the Magistrate to obtain the necessary relief and also assists to obtain medical aid, legal aid, counselling, safe shelter, and other required assistance. She also said that the participants will gain the understanding of the legal system, Role of Protection Officers and interlinkage with other stakeholders. The training will also focus on change of stereotypic mindset and understanding the impact of domestic violence on survivors and their children.
The five-day training programme scheduled from June 28, 2021, to July 2, 2021, is first in the series of workshops to be subsequently held for Protection Officers from the three States of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and West Bengal. The training has been scheduled online considering the current pandemic situation.