National Commission for Women chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar on Friday expressed concern over the alleged rise in the number of single mothers, increasing HIV cases among women, and growing incidents of domestic violence in Meghalaya.
During her review meeting with the chief secretary and senior police officers including DGP, Rahatkar directed the Meghalaya Police to establish women help desks in all 70-plus police stations and also set up anti-human trafficking units in every district, as part of a coordinated effort to strengthen responses to crimes against women. “I have reviewed how women in Shillong are benefiting from government schemes and how key laws are being enforced on the ground,” she told reporters after the meeting.
She highlighted a worrying trend flagged by the DGP — a rise in single motherhood and HIV cases among women — describing it as a serious issue needing immediate attention. Rahatkar also stressed the need for stronger legal safeguards, more robust cybercrime monitoring systems through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCCRP), and intensified gender sensitisation campaigns to address the deepening crisis.