Boosting Accessibility: Feeding and Changing Rooms in Public Spaces

The Centre instructs states, Union Territories, and central ministries to establish feeding and changing rooms for women and children, enhancing public space convenience. The Ministry of Women and Child Development collaborates with various ministries and state governments to ensure availability across airports, bus stations, and other public venues.

The Indian government is taking significant steps to improve public space accessibility for mothers and children. The Ministry of Women and Child Development has instructed states, Union Territories, and key central ministries to set up feeding and changing rooms in public areas.

The Ministry's directive has already seen results, with the Ministry of Civil Aviation establishing 312 such rooms at airports nationwide. This includes facilities at both Airports Authority of India (AAI) airports and non-AAI airports. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) confirmed installations at several bus stations across different regions.

Complementing these efforts, the women and child development ministry has issued an advisory for creating gender-friendly workplaces in public offices. Initiatives such as sanitary pad vending machines, restrooms, and crèche facilities are part of this drive, as detailed by Minister of State Savitri Thakur in the Rajya Sabha.

(With inputs from agencies.)