DIMAPUR, JUNE 23 (MExN): Governor of Nagaland and Assam, PB Acharya today launched a women helpline - 181 in the premises of the District Hospital Dimapur and also inaugurated Sakhi- One stop Centre, indented to support women affected by violence.
‘Sakhi-One Stop Centre’ is a centrally sponsored scheme by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) to be funded through Nirbhaya Fund. The objectives of the One Stop Centers are to provide integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence, both in private and public spaces under one roof and to facilitate immediate, emergency and non-emergency access to a range of services including medical, legal, psychological and counseling support to fight against any form of violence against women.
In the first phase, one centre is being established in every State/UT on a pilot basis and the OSC will be integrated with 181 (Women Helpline) and other existing helplines.
The women helpline will also provide 24 hour emergency response to all women affected by violence, through referral (linking with appropriate authorities such as Police, OSC or hospital) and information about women related government schemes and programmes across the country through a single uniform number -181.
In Nagaland, the State Resource Centre for Women (SRCW) has been appointed as nodal agency to implement the OSC and 181.
Addressing the gathering, Acharya reminded that society is witnessing women who are marching ahead in every field. He also highlighted on the multi roles played by women as home makers, guardians of children and the hard work put in by them in every field.
“Yet despite all these, sometimes women are taken for granted and not looked at as human beings due to greed for money and entertainment and we should change this mindset with all seriousness”, the Governor said.
He observed that domestic violence is committed by one’s own nearest and dearest people. Terming women as the living force behind the human species, Acharya reminded the gathering that women are our own mothers, our sisters and our daughters.
He was optimistic that problems of distressed women would be addressed through this project and also appealed to all stake holders for extending cooperation, so that violence against women would decline.
Nagaland Minister for Social Welfare and Parliamentary Affairs, Kiyanilie Peseyie, said Nagaland is committed to the welfare and safety of women and children. “Violence against women is being reported from all other districts and I look forward to having more One Stop Centers in Nagaland, which will be integrated with the 181 Women Helpline”, the Minister said.
Peseyie also remarked that the Union Minister for Women & Child Development, Maneka Gandhi, “has made a landmark change in the Ministry and her constant support for all kinds of development for our state.”
Secretary, Department of Social Welfare, Dellirose M Sakhrie, in her keynote address also highlighted on the objectives of the dual scheme for women. Chairperson, Nagaland State Commission for Women, Dr. Temsula Ao and DC Dimapur, Kesonyu Yhome, also spoke on the occasion.
