Inspiring Women Every Wednesday: Chhaya Sharma. The first police officer from India to get the McCain Award from Arizona State University in the United States for valor and leadership.

Chhaya Sharma shared her thoughts on Gender Inclusivity and #AtmaNirbharBharat at the recently held SABERA 2023 awards in Delhi. I’m honored to have had a chance to listen to her speak on Women’s Empowerment & Gender Inclusivity.

Chhaya’s dedication and excellence in service have earned her numerous accolades, including two Special Duty Medals for her work in insurgency-affected areas, the President’s Police Medal for Meritorious Service, the McCain Institute’s award for Leadership and Courage, the Home Minister’s Medal for Excellence in Investigation, and the ASIA Gamechanger Award.

Renowned for her victim-centric approach, Chhaya has made significant contributions in investigating serious crimes, particularly those affecting women and children. Her leadership and ability to build effective teams have been instrumental in dismantling organized crime.

At NHRC, she played a pivotal role in addressing human rights violations, leading a dedicated team that achieved notable successes in rescuing bonded laborers, advocating for prison reforms, and ensuring justice for victims. Her involvement in the NHRC’s Core Group on Human Trafficking reflects her commitment to this cause.

Chhaya’s exemplary skills were most notably demonstrated during the investigation of the 2012 Nirbhaya gang-rape case in New Delhi. In December 2012, South Delhi’s Deputy Police Commissioner Chhaya Sharma led the investigation into a shocking gang rape of a young student, an incident that sparked national outrage in India. Facing the challenge of no witnesses, Sharma and her team conducted a multistate manhunt, capturing all six suspects within six days. Their meticulous evidence gathering led to a swift charge sheet and a conviction upheld by the Supreme Court, earning high praise.

Her anti-trafficking efforts have been recognized by the Delhi High Court and featured in studies by the Institute of Social Sciences and the UN-ODC. At NHRC, she continued this mission, playing a key role in developing guidelines to combat human trafficking in India.

As the first female Deputy Police Commissioner of South Delhi and a deputy inspector general at the National Human Rights Commission of India, Sharma advocates for dignity and respect in victim treatment, emphasizing the importance of inner strength over physical might.

This case transformed India’s approach to handling rape cases, leading to the creation of fast-track courts and a more victim-centric investigation process, aligning with Sharma’s long-held beliefs.

SABERA stands for Social and Business Enterprise Awards 2023 – a celebration of innovation, resilience, and progress within social and business enterprises. This year, the focus was on the overarching theme of ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat,’ translating to
‘A Self-Reliant India.’ This theme resonates deeply with the nation’s spirit of self-sufficiency, ingenuity, and sustainable growth. Thanks to @simplysuparnaa of #SABERA.

https://www.sabera.co/

A talk by Mrs. Chhaya Sharma, – Transcript by Preeti Juneja

An inclusive environment for women

In any environment lacking inclusivity, women often find themselves marginalized, leading to frustration and an inability to contribute effectively. This often results in grievances and, in some cases, leads them to leave their jobs due to widespread dissatisfaction.

The concept of #AtmaNirbharBharat envisions a setting where women are given equal opportunities to participate in nation-building with their unique contributions.

Regrettably, there’s a prevailing bias where women seeking welfare or fair compensation are met with disdain, mockery, or are labeled aggressive. In contrast, when men negotiate for higher salaries, they are typically perceived as ambitious and are respected for their aspirations.

Empowerment

We often overlook the empathy, sensitivity, and creativity that women officers and managers contribute to their roles, inadvertently fostering an environment that is not conducive to women. While there is talk of empowerment through providing employment opportunities for women, there is a reluctance to endow them with actual authority and decision-making power.

Gender Mainstreaming

It’s crucial to earnestly consider gender mainstreaming. Having numerous IPS officers and CEOs who are women is pointless if they aren’t granted the autonomy and authority to make decisions. Empowerment is not achieved if their decisions are merely echoes of what their male counterparts have predetermined for them. True empowerment comes from genuine freedom in decision-making.

Safe Cities

Discussions about city safety often center on the rise in rape cases. However, a closer look at detailed statistics reveals a different picture: only 2% to 5% of these cases involve strangers. The overwhelming majority, about 95%, occur within homes, perpetrated by partners, acquaintances, or others who should be sources of safety. These numbers often go unspoken. Additionally, a significant portion of these discussions, about 90%, pertains to POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) cases, highlighting the involvement of children in sexual assault incidents.

Way Forward

Men who are committed to our well-being are indeed fulfilling their role. They ought to empower women, providing the necessary support for them to thrive. Women in any organization should have equal empowerment to make decisions, network effectively as men do, and support their fellow women.

The moment we collectively begin educating our boys to respect women marks the start of a nation-wide shift towards respect and inclusivity for women.

A call to all women: in our pursuit of a gender-inclusive society and the true spirit of #AtmaNirbharBharat, let’s all engage actively and contribute to our nation’s greatness, feeling fully part of this collective journey.

Dreamweb India expresses its heartfelt gratitude to Chhaya Sharma for generously sharing her valuable time and insights with us. We wish her success in contribution to the nation.

About Author

Chhaya Sharma

Chhaya Sharma, a distinguished officer of the Indian Police Service from the AGMUT Cadre, has held several key positions including Joint Commissioner of Police for Delhi’s Eastern Range and the Economic Offences Wing. Her tenure as Deputy Inspector General at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) further highlights her diverse career spanning 21 years across regions like Puducherry, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Delhi