The West Bengal Police has relaxed uniform norms for its female personnel during pregnancy and childbirth, allowing them to wear a white salwar-kameez or khaki instead of the usual shirt and trousers.
In the announcement, the department said, “It has been noticed that female police officers face problems wearing the regular uniform during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. In most cases, female police officers are willing to work in these categories. It is important that we look closely at the same details of this period in order to facilitate the efficiency of the work of female employees.”
“Remembering that female employees these days are working during their pregnancy, the Ministry has seen the need to make changes in the same policies,” said a senior official.
The notification states that female employees can opt for salwar-kameez from the 12th week of pregnancy and 12 months after delivery, subject to the approval of their respective units. Although some states are already exempt from policing pregnant and breastfeeding women, central laws have also been in place. Therefore, many women had to wear saris or shirt pants and faced the problems of wearing tight uniforms at work,” said the station manager of the women’s police station.
The new guidelines emphasize a supportive working environment for police officers who are pregnant and breastfeeding.
“All vigilance officers shall ensure a supportive work environment so that pregnant/lactating female police officers can effectively contribute to the organization through this biological category,” the notification added.
Specific uniform options for different levels and seasons, including khaki or white terrycot kameez and salwar in summer and angola kameez and salwar in winter, it said.
“This is an important step to create an inclusive environment for all women police officers in the West Bengal Police. Wearing a belt on the uniform was a big problem for pregnant women police officers. There is still a lot to improve,” said a senior female executive.
The guidelines also state that this relaxation of the uniform is voluntary in nature as female officers will have the option to continue wearing their regular uniform.
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