SHILLONG, AUG 16: Dr. M Ampareen Lyngdoh, Minister Incharge of Law for the Government of Meghalaya, emphasized the need to address significant gaps in the legal system and improve safety measures for women across various sectors.
Speaking to media persons, Dr Lyngdoh addressed concern following the recent Kolkata doctor Rape and murder case as stressed the importance of addressing gray areas involving educational institutions, including schools and colleges.
While acknowledging the positive interventions introduced by the MDA Government, such as workplace safety policies for women, Dr. Lyngdoh expressed concerns about the implementation of these policies. She highlighted the necessity for every department to establish committees to oversee and improve facilities and mechanisms for women’s safety, both in formal and informal sectors.
“Every department needs to have a committee formed to ensure the safety of women. We must improve the mechanisms in place so that there is a one-stop solution for reporting issues,” Dr. Lyngdoh stated. She also questioned the functionality of One Stop Centres in each district and whether they effectively assist women.
Dr. Lyngdoh further underscored the need for comprehensive discussions at institutional levels, including schools and colleges, to address character building and security. “We need to work towards ensuring that security is not just artificial but natural and abundant,” she said.
Additionally, Dr. Lyngdoh called for academic seminars and consultations to provide advisories to the government, aiming for improvements in the legal system and its implementation. She also highlighted the importance of adequate representation for both victims and accused, pointing out gaps in the codification and registry of cases.
“We need to evaluate whether we are meeting national standards, adequately paying legal representatives, and incentivizing cases appropriately. There are many gaps in the legal system that need to be addressed to ensure effective justice and safety,” she concluded.