Childcare is a basic service, not a luxury: RS MP

Nationalist Parliamentary Party – Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP) MP Fauzia Khan spoke at Rajya Sabha during the Budget Conference in New Delhi. |Photo source: Sansad TV

Rajya Sabha MP Fauzia Khan said on Tuesday (March 25, 2025) that child care should be considered a basic service, not a luxury service, marking a picture of a railway police force (RPF) Constable whose chest was tied to her chest, and at the Delhi Railway station for 15 years, her chest crossed her chest and patrolled her chest.

Speaking at Ms. Rajya Sabha’s zero hour in Rajya Sabha, NCP (Sharad Pawar) MP carried out institutional reforms and improved workplace facilities, including Creche, to address challenges faced by women in the security forces.

“While being honored by RPF as a symbol of Nari Shakti, I think this photo actually highlights the systemic challenges female personnel face in the insecurity forces and the system fails to provide basic support to working mothers,” she said.

Members of Congress also pointed out that currently only women account for only 4.4% of the total strength of the central armed police. In order for the government’s stated goal to increase the representation of women in security forces, it must bring about sustainable policies.

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Ms. Khan stressed that women in the security forces had faced significant challenges, saying that the nature of security work conflicted directly with the consistent care needed by young children.

“What is needed is toilets everywhere, skilled baby care or breastfeeding rooms so that women can effectively manage their professional and maternal responsibilities,” she said.

“Nari Shakti” She said it must go beyond purely optical components. “Policemakers must acknowledge that enabling women to thrive in these roles requires systematic change, investment in infrastructure, improved workplace facilities, flexible policies, financial assistance and recognition of their dual responsibilities,” she said.