Committee Committed to the Holistic Development of Women and Children – Monica Rajale

Mumbai, Oct 2025 : The Committee on Rights and Welfare of Women and Children, under the leadership of MLA and Chairperson Monica Rajale, affirmed that full cooperation will be provided for the holistic development of women and children in need. Appropriate facilities are being ensured in health, education, safety, and rehabilitation for women and children. Recommendations will be submitted to the government for more effective and long-term measures, she added.

The committee conducted visits and inspections at Byculla Women’s Prison, Shatabdi Hospital (Govandi), Children’s Correctional Home, Women’s Correctional Home (Mankhurd), and Shahaji Maternity Hospital (Mankhurd). During these visits, a review of schemes implemented under the Women & Child Development Department and the Urban Development Department was conducted.

Present on the occasion were MLA Monica Rajale, Seema Hire, Adv. Shrijaya Chavan, Ranjana Jadhav, Saroj Ahire, Sana Malik, Mahesh Sawant, Dr. Jyoti Gaikwad, Chitra Wagh, Dr. Pragya Satav, Sunil Shinde, Dr. Manisha Kayande, Women & Child Development Officers of Mumbai City, Suburban Officers Sanjay Dhangar and Suvarna Pawar, District Women & Child Development Officer Namita Shinde, Prema Ghatge, among others.

Committee Members’ Observations:

Committee members visited the women’s prison and interacted with inmates, collecting information on health, nutrition, water supply, library facilities, skill training, and anganwadi services for children. Members assured that employment-oriented training for women would be strengthened. At Shatabdi Hospital and Shahaji Hospital, the committee reviewed the healthcare services provided to women and children and expressed satisfaction.

The committee examined the Matrivandana Scheme, Lakshya Scheme, drug inventory, sanitation, security, and CCTV systems. At the Children’s and Women’s Correctional Homes (Mankhurd), members reviewed programs for mental health, education, counseling, and rehabilitation and expressed satisfaction with the initiatives.

Chairperson Monica Rajale stated that the committee would submit concrete recommendations to the government to ensure women and children have better health facilities, modern equipment, and safe accommodations. The committee will extend full support for the comprehensive development of women in need.

During the tour, the committee assessed the current status of various welfare schemes for women and children and plans to provide recommendations to the government to ensure more effective implementation in the future.

Additional Inputs from Officials:

• District Women & Child Development Officer Shobha Shelar briefed on initiatives such as interactive sessions with children, counseling through social organizations, and legal assistance.
• Deputy Commissioner Suvarna Pawar provided details on employment-oriented skill training for women in correctional homes, noting that earnings from the training are given to women upon leaving the facility to ease their rehabilitation.
• Executive Health Officer Dr. Daksha Shah shared information on healthcare facilities, including beds, ICU, sonography services, and the “Healthy Woman, Empowered Family” scheme.

The visit was also attended by Special Police Inspector General Yogesh Desai, Superintendent Vikas Rajnalwar, Jailor Amruta Yashwante, Santosh Kolekar, Pournima Sonwane, Kalpana Khambait, District Child Protection Officer Meera Gudile, Officer Nishigandha Bhaval, and Health Officers Dr. Santosh Gaikwad and Dr. Vaishali Chandanshive, along with other officials.

The study tour reflects the committee’s commitment to ensuring effective welfare measures and better facilities for women and children.