Delhi CM directs DCW officials to raise awareness on POCSO and cybercrime for girls

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta being greeted during a meeting of the Delhi Commission for Women in New Delhi on September 11, 2026. Photo: X/@gupta_rekha via PTI. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday (September 11, 2026) directed the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) to strengthen the Commission’s online complaint system and advised it to step up its activities at the grassroots level on issues concerning women and girls.At a meeting with members of the DCW, the Chief Minister also emphasised the need to raise awareness among girls about the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, and cybercrimes. She also stressed the need to ensure mandatory police verification of school staff as well as school bus and van drivers, attendants and sanitation workers, so that there was no scope for negligence at any level when it came to children’s safety.Ms. Gupta directed the Commission to ensure that eligible adolescent girls have access to information and facilities related to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and make the online system for disposing of women’s complaints simpler and more effective.Ms. Gupta said that willing non-governmental organisations (NGOs), civil society organisations (CSOs) and resident welfare associations (RWAs) should be brought on board to expand the campaign’s reach to children at the local level.The Chief Minister directed that detailed information on the future of children living in child care institutions (CCIs) be prepared and asked the DCW to prepare and submit to her office a list of children living in after-care facilities. The list should include details such as the child’s name, age, concerned institution, duration of stay, education and qualifications, and skills acquired, she said.“It was not enough to merely provide shelter to children leaving these institutions. It was necessary to connect them with education, skills and employment and help them become self-reliant. She also said work could be undertaken to provide autos to interested girls and e-rickshaws to boys through the Transport Department, enabling them to begin a dignified livelihood,” Ms. Gupta said. The CM also directed the Commission to inspect the arrangements for mid-day meals in schools and the nutritional food provided to children at anganwadi centres and added that any shortcomings found at any level should be reported immediately. Published - September 12, 2026 11:38 am IST