Shillong: National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar on Friday voiced concern over an increase in single mothers, rising HIV cases among women, and growing incidents of domestic violence in Meghalaya.
Speaking after a review meeting with Chief Secretary Donald P. Wahlang, Director General of Police Idashisha Nongrang, and other senior officials, Rahatkar said these trends demand urgent intervention.
She directed the Meghalaya Police to set up women’s help desks in all police stations and establish anti-human trafficking units in every district to strengthen responses to crimes against women.
“I reviewed how women in Shillong are benefiting from government schemes and the enforcement of key laws,” she said, adding that the DGP’s office had highlighted a “worrying rise” in single motherhood and HIV infections among women.
The NCW chief stressed the need for better gender sensitisation programmes, stronger legal aid mechanisms, and improved cybercrime assistance linked to the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCCRP).