PANAJI
An initiative launched by the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) to improve safety for women and children in the city has started showing results. Seven children and five women were “rescued from begging” just over two weeks ago.
“On April 26, seven children and five women were rescued from begging in Panaji,” said CCP Mayor Rohit Monserrate. He added that it was a joint effort by the CCP, Panaji Police Station, Child Welfare Committee (North Goa), Childline and other organisations.
He said the campaign, called Safety First: Empowering Women and Protecting Children, aims to make the city safer for women and children. It is being carried out in partnership with the Goa Police and SCAN-Goa, a voluntary organisation. The campaign will focus on educating, empowering and involving the public to create a safer environment. To spread awareness, colourful hoardings and stickers will be placed around the city and on local buses. These will provide important information about safety services, he said in a statement.
Monserrate said the first phase of the campaign has already started. Hoardings highlighting the issue of child begging have been put up on electric poles near the Panjim bus stand, Miramar, market entrances, D. B. Road, and 18 June Road. These include helpline numbers. “In collaboration with the Goa Police, regular checks will be conducted on buses in Panjim city in which police officers in plainclothes will travel to ensure the safety of women and child commuters,” he said.
He added that several events like workshops and outreach programmes will be held to raise awareness about key safety issues.
