New Delhi, March 20: The Centre today announced 33 per cent quotas for women in police forces of all Union territories, including Delhi, for posts from constables to sub-inspectors.

The move, aimed at making police more gender-sensitive, will instil confidence among women and enable them to approach police without hesitation for protection and help, the government said.

The cabinet cleared the proposal in the backdrop of demands for concrete action to curb crimes against women, especially after the December 16, 2012, gang rape in a moving bus. A year later, the Justice (retd) J.S. Verma committee had submitted a report on women's safety.

The police forces of Union territories come directly under the home ministry. Police and public order are, otherwise, a state subject.

Noting the changes made in criminal laws on the Verma panel recommendations, the Centre said a "skewed police force" was a major practical barrier in effective implementation of legislations intended for protection of women.

The reservation will also cover reserved categories like scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward classes, it said in a statement.

"Police is the first line of interface between citizens and the law enforcement machinery. It has been observed that many women do not approach the police as they may have to confide or report the incident to a male police officer.

"This is particularly so in respect of sex-related crimes," the statement said.

"This decision will help augment the number of women in the police force of all Union territories and Delhi police so as to make them more gender-sensitive."

According to government figures, women account for about seven per cent of the strength of Delhi police. There are only 5,413 female personnel in a force of over 80,000.

After the 2012 gang rape, the government had enacted the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013. An amendment mandates that only female police or government officers can record reports of crimes against women and their statements.

The reservation will be available to women against all such vacancies existing on the date of issue of the order after the cabinet approval and vacancies arising thereafter, an official statement said.

Suitable enabling provisions in the recruitment rules have also been cleared to allow police forces to recruit more women.

Vrinda Grover, a lawyer and activist, appreciated the quota decision but sounded an alert. "This is not just about women. So while welcoming the step, I would like to say that orientation and training needs to be given to the entire police force," she told this newspaper.

She said protocols were yet to be established on what exactly police personnel would do when a woman enters a police station to lodge a complaint. "Without training, this will only be tokenism," Grover said.