Annual Report - National Human Rights Commission

Summary of Principal Recommendations and Observations
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Combating Sexual Harassment of Women in Trains
19.39 The Commission has been working for the eradication of sexual harassment of women
passengers in trains in collaboration with the Ministry of Railways. Despite several meetings
held with the Ministry of Railways, the Commission notes with concern that the Ministry is yet
to implement some of the important recommendations made by it for ensuring safety and security
of the women passengers travelling by trains. These are: (i) availability of FIR forms in all
regional languages, (ii) preparation and display of messages in the railway coaches, (iii) preparation
and display of graphics and other publicity materials at the railway platforms, (iv) printing of the
message on the back of the ticket saying that sexual harassment of women in trains is a crime,
and (v) preparation of a power point presentation on the problem of sexual harassment in trains
and its implications so that the same could be made in a software for public viewing on television.
The Commission again requests the Ministry of Railways to take appropriate action on all these
without any further delay. (Paras 8.20 & 8.22)
Rehabilitation of Marginalized and Destitute Women including
Widows in Vrindavan
19.40 The Commission is concerned about the rehabilitation of marginalized and destitute
women including widows in Vrindavan. Since the Action Taken Report of the Government of
Uttar Pradesh was not satisfactory, the Commission took up the matter with the Department of
Women and Child Development, Government of India, in particular, the issue of providing
suitable accommodation to these women. (Paras 8.24 and 8.25)
Population Policy – Development and Human Rights
19.41 In its two preceding annual reports, the Commission had reported that it had organized a
Colloquium on Population Policy – Development and Human Rights. In this context, Action
Taken Reports were still awaited from Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar,
Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Kerala, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Mizoram,
Nagaland, Orissa, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu
and Pondicherry. The Commission requests those States and Union Territories who have not
sent in their Action Taken Reports on the recommendations that emerged from the deliberations
of the Colloquium to expedite sending the same, as this has implications on the vulnerable
sections of the society. (Paras 8.26 and 8.27)
Rights of Children
Guidebook for the Media on Sexual Violence against Children
19.42 The Commission reiterates that the contents in the Media Guidebook brought out by the
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