Gonda: A district-level orientation workshop under the innovative “Bahu-Beti Sammelan” initiative of the Gorakhpur Zone Police was successfully organized at the Amar Shaheed Rajendra Nath Lahiri Multipurpose Hall in Police Lines, Gonda, on Thursday. The programme was chaired by Superintendent of Police Vineet Jaiswal and aimed at preventing crimes against women and children, curbing gender-based violence, ensuring women’s safety and dignity, and promoting gender equality in society.
The initiative is being implemented with technical support from UNICEF. The workshop began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp, followed by the welcome of guests with saplings, symbolizing environmental responsibility and social commitment.
The event brought together representatives from the judiciary, health, child protection, rural development, women’s welfare, and legal services sectors. Among those present were Magistrate Anshuman Dhunna from the District Legal Services Authority, Child Counsellor Neelu Tripathi, Deputy CMO Dr. T.P. Jaiswal, and officials from various government departments and support agencies.
Addressing the gathering, Additional Superintendent of Police (West) Radheshyam Rai emphasized that the safety of women and children remains a top priority for the police and described the Bahu-Beti Sammelan as an important community-based initiative to strengthen awareness and empowerment.
During the technical sessions, UNICEF State Consultant Pallavi Rai and Divisional Child Protection Consultant Shailesh Pratap Singh provided detailed insights into the current status of violence against women and children, its social causes, and its long-term impact. Participants were sensitized to issues such as domestic violence, sexual harassment, cyber stalking, child marriage, human trafficking, and other forms of gender-based violence.
The workshop highlighted the role of Mission Shakti Centres established at police stations in facilitating community outreach. Discussions focused on involving women, adolescent girls, elected representatives, self-help groups, teachers, Anganwadi workers, and other stakeholders in awareness programmes and support mechanisms.
In his address, SP Vineet Jaiswal said that a safe and equitable society can only be built through collective responsibility. He credited the initiative to the vision and guidance of IG Gorakhpur Zone Ashok Kumar Jain, who advocates a participatory approach involving families, communities, educational institutions, health services, and government departments.
Jaiswal informed participants that 18 Mission Shakti Centres have been established across all 18 police station areas in Gonda district. Through these centres, Bahu-Beti Sammelans are being conducted regularly at the gram panchayat level every Thursday. Since the first week of December 2025, a total of 414 Bahu-Beti Sammelans have been organized across the district, generating awareness on issues such as child marriage, domestic violence, dowry harassment, cybercrime, human trafficking, gender discrimination, and women’s and children’s rights.
The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks by Circle Officer (Sadar) Shilpa Verma, who stressed the importance of coordinated efforts by all departments and community stakeholders in preventing gender-based violence and strengthening child protection mechanisms.
Participants also pledged to work actively towards women’s safety and child welfare. The workshop laid out a roadmap for the effective implementation of the Bahu-Beti Sammelan programme in Gonda, with the broader objective of creating a safer, more inclusive, and gender-sensitive society.
