Sunetra Pawar Orders Mandate for Toilets and Changing Rooms for Women Athletes
In Mumbai, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar has directed that toilets, changing rooms, lighting, and CCTV security systems be made mandatory for women athletes at all sports facilities across Maharashtra. Pawar, who holds the state's Sports and Youth Welfare portfolio, issued these instructions on Wednesday during a meeting focused on improving safety and hygiene for female players.
Pawar stated that a state-level unified policy must be drafted for the development of sports grounds in Maharashtra. This policy will require the installation of model toilets, separate changing rooms, adequate lighting, and CCTV systems to provide a safer, more dignified, and encouraging environment for female athletes. Pawar highlighted that women athletes from the state are performing remarkably at both national and international levels in various sports.
The directive was issued after Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Milind Narvekar raised the issue during the state legislature's budget session. Narvekar subsequently sent a letter to Pawar, advocating for a special government scheme to provide separate, safe, and clean toilets, changing rooms, and clean drinking water facilities for women at all sports grounds, complexes, and training centers.
In his letter, Narvekar stated that providing a dignified, safe, and clean environment for female athletes is a significant investment in Maharashtra’s sports ecosystem rather than just a matter of building facilities. He added that the Mumbai Cricket Association is committed to developing women’s cricket and is ready to cooperate by building and maintaining toilets for female players at cricket grounds in Mumbai.
To implement these changes, Pawar directed that all concerned government departments must work in coordination. She ordered the preparation and effective execution of an action plan. Narvekar also suggested that municipal corporations in urban areas and Zilla Parishads in rural regions should take the initiative to provide the necessary funds and machinery, ensuring separate funds are designated for regular maintenance.
