Sunitha Lakshma Reddy takes over as chairperson of Women's commission

After around 2.5 years of dysfunctional women's commission, the state finally gets its official chairperson. The Telangana government appointed Vakiti Sunitha Lakshma Reddy as the chairperson and the members of women's commission on 27th dec.

Sunitha was also the former minister of women development and child welfare in Andhra Pradesh who has now taken the charge of being the Chairperson of the women's commission.

The new members took charge in the presence of Telangana State Information Technology and Municipal Administration and Urban Development minister KT Rama Rao. According to the minister, the state government has undertook several measures for the welfare and empowerment of women.

Maternal and infant deaths have considerably declined and institutional deliveries rose in the state. The Telangana government emphasised on the primacy of women''s empowerment through various measures, including putting in place ''She Teams'' which work to address women''s safety issues.

"We will strive our best to work for special women's courts. In order to make women's safety effective, the She teams will be regularly co-ordinating with the women's commission. The emergency number 181will be functional for women to register their complaints from domestic violence to discrimination against women.

These centres will allow women to understand their legal options as well. They do not have to hesitate or feel embarrassed to get in touch with us. One can approach the sakhi centres and we assure that the anonymity will be maintained.

We will be taking up every case against women violence for quick disposal. I have just taken charhe and let me understand and once i'm aware of things, i'll set uo the priorities." Said Sunitha lakshma reddy, adding that along with her team members will bring awareness of schemes and will to educate women on their rights.

There are a total of 33 sakhi centres in the state. The emergency number 181 will not only function as an emergency number but will also connect them to sakhi centres. Sakhi centres also have a vehicular support for women who cannot commute, they will come down by their location to give counselling. We are in talks with the police department on how to integrate Bharosa and sakhi centres.

All 6 members of the commission are based from different districts and different socio-economic status. Eshwari bai is from Adilabad district , coming from Kolam community and shaheen coming from minority community, and other members are representing backward classes as well.

All the members will strive to ensure that women issues are addressed. 181 is stationed at EMRI campus. It runs 100,108 and 181. There are a total of 70,000 employees working in women development and child welfare and 60,000 anganwadi workers as well.

Divya Devarajan,IAS, Commissioner and Director, women development and child welfare, Government of Telangana who presided at the event said, "Women commission's duties are not limited to reacting, but to suggest the government on better policies and rules for women."