Run awareness campaigns in colleges to protect girls from POCSO and cybercrimes: CM Rekha Gupta
Chief Minister discusses safety of women and girls at Delhi Commission for Women meeting
New Delhi, September 2026 : The safety of women and girls cannot be ensured merely by making laws, it also requires making them aware of their rights and the measures available for their protection, Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta said at a meeting of the Delhi Commission for Women on Friday. She stressed the need to further strengthen the Commission’s online complaint system and advised it to step up its activities at the grassroots level on issues concerning women and girls. The Chief Minister also emphasised the need to raise awareness among girls about POCSO and cybercrimes, ensure that eligible adolescent girls have access to information and facilities related to HPV vaccination, and make the online system for disposing of women’s complaints simpler and more effective.
The meeting, held at Janseva Sadan, was attended by Commission Chairperson Smt. Lata Gupta, members and senior officials. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said college-going students should be specifically made aware of ways to protect themselves from cybercrimes. She advised the Commission to conduct campaigns in colleges to educate students about online harassment, misuse of social media, cyber fraud and other digital crimes, and to provide information on where and how to file a complaint in the event of an incident.
Focus on POCSO awareness and HPV vaccination
The Chief Minister said it was essential for girls to be aware of their rights and the legal provisions available to protect them from sexual offences. She asked the Commission to conduct awareness campaigns in schools and colleges to increase awareness about the POCSO Act and inform girls about the assistance and complaint mechanisms available to them in cases of exploitation or harassment.
She also stressed the need to raise awareness about HPV vaccination for the prevention of cervical cancer. The Chief Minister said ensuring that information about and access to free HPV vaccination reaches eligible adolescent girls from disadvantaged and needy sections of society should be a priority. She advised the Commission to step up awareness activities in this direction and coordinate with the concerned departments to ensure that accurate information reaches families in need.
Make resolution of women’s complaints easier and time-bound
The Chief Minister also stressed the need to further strengthen the Women’s Commission’s online complaint system. She said women should have access to a simple, accessible and reliable mechanism for complaints related to domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual exploitation and harassment. The online complaint system should enable women to easily register their complaints and keep them informed about the process of disposal as well. She advised the Commission to make its functioning more responsive to the actual needs of women and ensure sensitivity and promptness in the disposal of complaints.
Review facilities at One Stop Centres and women’s institutions
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also stressed the need to visit and review arrangements at One Stop Centres (Sakhi), which provide assistance to women in crisis, as well as women’s shelter and care institutions run by the government and non-governmental organisations.
She said women staying at these institutions should receive the necessary medical care, counselling, legal assistance and rehabilitation facilities effectively, along with a safe environment. The Commission’s role in addressing women’s problems should not be limited to action after a complaint is received. Its active role should be visible at every level - awareness, prevention, assistance and grievance redressal.
