NCW members call on Governor

GANGTOK, 12 June: Members of National Commission for Women, Dr. Charuwali Khanna [Advocate] and Shamina Shafiq called on the Governor, Shriniwas Patil at Raj Bhavan today. They were  accompanied by, Nirnay John Chettri [Member Raid and Rescue, NGO, Sikkim Chapter]. Raid and Rescue is a  NGO working across the country for the control of human trafficking.
A press release informs that the Governor extended his greetings to both the members on the occasion. During interaction with the Governor, Dr. Charuwali Khanna informed that their visit to Sikkim was part of the Commission's  effort towards the safety and security of women in Sikkim with special focus on minority communities.
During the interaction, Dr. Charuwali Khanna also mentioned that there is persistent threat of human trafficking especially of women from weaker sections of society in the name of providing education and better care.
She expressed her happiness that despite being bounded by international borders on three sides, Sikkim has been able to check the menace of human trafficking. Sikkim has established itself as a state which is relatively safer for women than any other state in the country, she added.
Dr Khanna expressed her keenness to learn the best practices on the issue of women’s safety in Sikkim so that it could be emulated in other parts of the country where the rate of crimes against women is very high. She also mentioned that she has observed during her visit that the deployment of women police personnel in various public places and interiors of the state has contributed a great deal in the matter, the release mentions.
The Governor mentioned that despite its low population, Sikkim has a tradition where maximum freedom and respect is given to women folk. The status of women in Sikkim’s society is higher than the rest of the country, the Governor added.