Delhi to appoint more policewomen after rape scandal

Many women across India are subjected to haras...

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India's capital is to recruit more policewomen following a national outcry over the gang rape of a young woman on a Delhi bus in December 2012. 

"I have signed the file for appointing two woman sub-inspectors and seven woman constables in every police station in Delhi," said Indian Minister of Home Affairs Sushil Kumar Shinde. 

The move aims to provide better help to female victims as it was reported that policemen have found it "difficult" to assist women, who are frequently subjected to harassment and sexual violence. 

The 23-year-old victim of the December assault was brutally beaten, raped and thrown out of the bus she boarded with her male friend on the way from the cinema. The trial in a fast-track court of five defendants charged with rape and murder has been scheduled to start on January 5. A sixth suspect will be tried in a juvenile court.

If convicted, the men could face the death penalty.