IndiaPrime Jaipur, Rajasthan | A two-day international workshop titled “Strengthening Institutional Mechanisms to Combat Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)” commenced today in Jaipur. The workshop is being hosted by the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR), Kochi, in collaboration with Udaipur-based NGO Prasa Anusanthan Sanstha and supported by the U.S. Consulate General, Chennai.
The inaugural session was graced by Ms. Tejaswini Gautam, IPS, DCP Jaipur City East, who emphasised the urgent need for a trauma-informed and evidence-based policing model. “Patriarchy is not only exploitative for women, but equally oppressive for men as well,” she stated. Ms. Gautam also highlighted various initiatives of the Rajasthan Police, including the Kalika Patrolling Units and the Rajcop app, as examples of proactive policing.
Ms. Rakhi Gupta, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Registrar of IIS (Deemed to be University), Jaipur, addressed the role of educational institutions in combating VAWG. “Higher education has a vital role to play in building awareness and research-based solutions, in collaboration with law enforcement,” she remarked.
Speaking on behalf of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Mr. Deepesh Gupta, Head of Office, UNFPA Rajasthan, called for the creation of multisectoral, survivor-centered SOPs. He advocated for a shift from standalone services to interconnected frameworks across departments, emphasizing the importance of mapping helplines, police units, and clinics.
Ms. Savita Gupta, representing Prasa Anusanthan Sanstha, underscored the significance of community-driven responses, particularly in rural and tribal areas of Rajasthan.
Welcoming the participants, Dr. D. Dhanuraj, Chairman of CPPR, noted that the workshop is part of a broader national study across five states, including Rajasthan. “Our aim is to identify systemic gaps and develop policy recommendations that are both effective and economically viable,” he said.
The workshop features an impressive lineup of experts and practitioners from India and the United States, including:
Ms. Anjali Prasad Guntur, Director of Programs, Raksha Inc., Georgia, USA
Ms. Kanchan Mathur, Former Professor and Independent Consultant, Institute of Development Studies, Jaipur
Ms. Sangeetha Rege, Advisor, CEHAT, Mumbai
Ms. Anita Brandon, State Nodal Officer for PRI Training, SIRD, Rajasthan
Ms. Sonali Vyas, Director, Safetipin, Jaipur
Other key contributors include Prof. Shobhita Rajagopal, IDS Jaipur; Ms. Trisha Pareek, UNFPA Rajasthan; Dr. Murarilal Gupta, Rajasthan Women Empowerment Department; Ms. Nisha Sidhu, NFIW Rajasthan; and Dr. Mukta Arora, UN Women ICO, Rajasthan.
The workshop agenda includes in-depth sessions on legal reforms, institutional coordination, cyber safety, women’s safety and mobility in urban spaces, and women’s health governance. The event will conclude on July 25, 2025, with a high-level panel discussion titled “Bridging Gaps, Building Systems: A Roadmap to Address VAWG in Rajasthan.”
