As part of its 'Women Safety Mission', the Cell held its first meeting on Wednesday in the presence of Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajlaxmi Shivankar. The meeting saw detailed discussions on the challenges women face during their daily commute, at workplaces, and in public spaces. The members of the Cell raised concerns about underreporting, delayed action, and lack of awareness about complaint mechanisms.

DCP Shivankar assured full cooperation from Pune Police and stressed the need for stronger community-policing coordination. "We want women to come forward without fear. Quick response and sensitivity are our priorities," she said.

During the session, the Women's Cell received several suggestions from members and citizens. Pune Times Mirror will now act as a mediator between the police and women in the city to ensure these issues are addressed and resolved effectively.

The Cell plans to hold regular interactions with authorities, conduct awareness drives, and create a dedicated platform for women to report grievances safely.

The initiative marks a direct intervention by a media house to bridge the gap between citizens and law enforcement agencies on women's safety.

No more silence, only change - that is the rallying cry as Pune Times Mirror takes the lead in confronting the city's growing crisis of women's safety with its 150-member Women's Cell citizen force. With dedicated coordination from the police, the Cell is determined to fight back and reclaim women's space by effectively tackling the menaces of harassment outside schools, fear-ridden metro and cab rides, unsafe public toilets, darkened streets and rising cybercrime. It's their 'Women Safety Mission'.

The initiative was launched on April 15 at the Pune Times Mirror's office in the presence of Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajlaxmi Shivankar, Pune Times Mirror Director Sheetal Biyani, Editor Archana More, and Advisory Board Director Aneeta Sanas. The Women's Cell has resolved to work hand in hand with the police to curb offenders, expose societal lapses that endanger women, and break the fear barrier by encouraging every woman to report injustice.

Taking the bull by the horns
As Pune expands, the challenges of women's safety have increased. In such a situation, relying only on the administration is not enough. Pune Times Mirror Women's Cell, along with Stree Shakti Foundation, has decided to step directly onto the field and begin work, taking important steps in this initiative.

A special discussion session was organised at the Pune Times Mirror office to examine various aspects of women's safety in depth. Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajlaxmi Shivankar attended the meeting, listened to women's concerns and offered guidance from an administrative perspective.

In Pune, women's safety is threatened not only by crime but also by the lack of civic facilities. The insecurity of travelling late at night by metro or cab, the growing menace of loiterers and harassment outside schools, and domestic violence behind closed doors have all become pressing problems. Adding to this is the shortage of clean and secure public toilets; where facilities exist, they are often unsafe and unhygienic, causing serious inconvenience to women.

Darkened streets in many suburbs, the rising tide of cybercrime, and the fear of approaching police to lodge complaints have further restricted women's freedom in public life. To overcome these wide-ranging problems, Pune Times Mirror Women's Cell has now resolved to work hand in hand with the police, stepping into the field with determination.

Safety of children prime
The most pressing issue raised in the discussion was school safety. Crowds outside school gates at dispersal time and the presence of loiterers are proving dangerous for the safety of children. Members strongly demanded increased police patrolling outside schools, along with better internal security within school premises. Suggestions were also made on how parents and school administrations should coordinate with police to ensure children's safety.

The third and most sensitive subject was domestic violence. It was observed that women often hesitate to seek justice against injustices that occur behind closed doors because of fear of the police. To address this, DCP Shivankar explained in detail the exact procedure for filing complaints, the role of the women's help desk, and the legal protection available to victims.

Members of the Pune Times Mirror Women's Cell Advisory Board actively participated in this important session. Minakkshi Bhalerao, Sarita Purswani, Seema Tanwar, Divya Narwani, Leena Jain, Leena Modi, Aneeta Sanas, Pooja Doshi, Rasika Chonde, Pallavi Kaushik, Meena Kaki Satav, Poornima Lunawat, and Radhika Kouthawere present. Together, they made a significant pledge: to increase dialogue between police and the public, to remove fear of the police, and to spread the message that "police are our friends" to women at the grassroots. The Women's Cell will act as a bridge, ensuring that no injustice goes unheard and that every grievance reaches the police fearlessly.

Awareness is key
The Cell now includes 150 women who will not remain confined to discussions but will go directly to the sites of problems. They will highlight incidents, give voice to victims and work to secure justice. Ultimately, the Women's Cell is committed to making women aware of their rights and providing both psychological and legal support in times of crisis. The meeting underlined that when police and vigilant citizens come together, crime can be curbed more effectively. This step, taken by Pune Times Mirror, is being seen as an important milestone in the empowerment of women in Pune.

"Women must remain alert about their own safety. If you feel unsafe while travelling late at night by metro or cab, use the Dial 112 service - the police will reach you within minutes. Do not ignore domestic violence or harassment; your small voice can stop a bigger crime. Through Pune Mirror Women's Cell, we are committed to building a safer Pune. Every woman who comes forward will find the police standing as a shield behind her."
- Rajlaxmi Shivanka, Deputy Commissioner of Police

"Our aim is not merely to give publicity to the problems faced by women in the city, but to take those issues to every level of the administration and resolve them at the root. Through the Pune Mirror Women's Cell, we are working to remove these shortcomings and provide women with a rightful platform to live with dignity."

- Sheetal Biyani, Director, Pune Times Mirror

"Our Women's Cell is not just a group of 150 women; it is the powerful voice of every woman in Pune who suffers injustice. We are striving to remove the fear of the police and encourage women to come forward for their rights. Whether it is domestic violence or harassment in public places, women no longer need to remain silent, because our Cell and the police administration are present on the ground round the clock to support them."

- Aneeta Sanas, Director, Pune Mirror Women's Cell and Advisory Board