Women's panel to educate women prisoners' children

CHENNAI: In a significant step that would go a long way in ensuring that the future of the children of women prison inmates is not affected by their mothers’ incarceration, the State Commission for Women is working to facilitate their education at the rescue homes where they are accommodated. The initiative was planned after women prisoners wrote to the commission seeking to ensure that their children received formal education.

Recently, the commission had heeded to another request and provided toys and television sets for the benefit of the children below three years of age who are with their mothers in Puzhal central prison. After being appointed as the chairperson of Tamil Nadu Commission for Women in February, AS Kumari has visited several prisons since March, including Vellore, Coimbatore, Madurai and Puzhal central prisons, and Kokkirakulam sub-jail in Tirunelveli.

“The commission received letters from women inmates requesting to ensure education for their children lodged at rescue homes. I visited the homes and met the children who are studying in Class 8 and above,” the chairperson told DT Next.

According to her, the commission is planning to initiate possible mechanisms to facilitate classes for the younger ones, while assisting the elder children with jobs through self-help groups. “We are in talks with the district Collector for it,” Kumari added.

When she visited Puzhal jail, the women inmates requested her for extra television sets and toys for their children who are accommodated in the crèche in the central prison.

“During the visit, we had promised to fulfil their requests. A couple of months ago, we provided television sets and toys to the children. The commission is particular about the welfare of all women, and we are actively working on achieving it,” Kumari added.