The CPM on Sunday announced that it would set up dignity centres and self-defence committees across Bengal exclusively for women, aimed at preventing crimes against women.

The party’s youth leader, Minakshi Mukherjee, accompanied by five women candidates of the CPM contesting this Lok Sabha polls, announced a slew of measures that they would initiate from Atmamarjada Kendra (dignity centre) and Atmaraksha Samiti (self-defence centre) by spending one-third of the MPLAD (local area development) funds, for each seat they win.

“Not only in Sandeshkhali, atrocities against women are reported from across the
state and the situation is not different if we look at it nationally, as seen in Manipur. That is why we have taken a slew of 15 such measures for the women, which would help them not only protect themselves but also live a life with dignity,” said Mukherjee, before the party’s Serampore candidate Dipsita Dhar elaborated on the proposals.

Mukherjee said that regardless of poll results, the party would continue with its efforts to establish such centres to safeguard women’s dignity.

The number of such centres will depend on the requirement and nature of the locality and the population of women in a particular Assembly or Lok Sabha seat.

According to the announcement, the self-defence centres will train women in martial arts and help them get legal aid in cases related to domestic violence, child marriage and trafficking.

The dignity centres will address issues related to health, sanitation, sports, education, as well as the care of children of working women, among others.