“Ensuring Women’s Safety During Festivals is the True Mark of Culture – Dr. Neelam Gorhe”

Pune, Aug 2025: A significant training workshop on women’s safety was recently held in Pune under the chairmanship of Dr. Neelam Gorhe, Chairperson of Stree Aadhar Kendra and Deputy Chairperson of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, who has been working on women’s issues for over 40 years.

This was the 23rd initiative aimed at training volunteers on legal aspects to ensure women’s safety during public festivals. Held at S. M. Joshi Hall in Pune, the primary objective of the workshop was to train women activists to prevent incidents of harassment, molestation, theft, and child abduction during crowded events like Ganesh Festival. Police and disaster management experts provided guidance during the program. Women from vigilance committees of 20 police stations actively participated.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Mr. Pankaj Deshmukh addressed the gathering on the topic “Festivals and Women’s Safety: Role of Law Enforcement and Society”. He remarked that working with Stree Aadhar Kendra and Dr. Neelam Gorhe makes problem-solving more effective and seamless, highlighting the immense value of their guidance and cooperation.

Senior Police Inspector Mr. Popat Yele from the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad explained the responsibilities of bomb detection teams. Disaster management trainer Mr. Vivek Naidu provided insights into urban disaster management.

In her presidential address, Dr. Gorhe emphasized that Ganesh Festival is the soul of Maharashtra’s culture, but in public gatherings, women’s safety must be the topmost priority. The presence of volunteers will be reassuring for women, girls, and children. She also commended the contribution of every female activist working with social awareness.

Citing the example of Gisèle Halimi’s fight against injustice in France, Dr. Gorhe urged every oppressed woman to follow her path of resistance. She expressed confidence that this workshop would help establish a robust social mechanism for women’s safety during Ganesh Festival and Navratri in Pune. The experience gained through this training will certainly be beneficial for the volunteers in future endeavors.

Aparna Pathak, trustee of Stree Aadhar Kendra, gave an overview of the organization’s activities. She mentioned that the organization conducts savings groups and legal training programs for women across the state. The trained volunteers will assist the police during Ganesh Festival and Navratri. Last year, these volunteers had helped reunite lost children with their families. They have been trained to manage separate queues for men and women in crowded places, prevent harassment, and provide assistance whenever necessary.