Thanks to the ‘Police Didi’ project of the Mumbai police, scores of women from slums in suburban Chembur are coming forward to share their problems.

The force has over 1,000 police didis, who after completing their official work hours, reach out to girls and women in slums. These policewomen focus on sexual harassment cases. Assistant sub-inspector Archana Patil from Chembur has initiated the project.

The project was launched around two years ago in collaboration with women personnel from 93 police stations across the city. “Women living in slums are coming forward frequently to share their ordeals, including those of sexual harassment. This was made possible only because of our trained women constables who have established a rapport with them through regular meetings,” said Ashok Dudhe, deputy commissioner (operations), Mumbai police.