May 11, Rajouri- As people remain confined to homes due to lockdown across the country in wake of COVID-19 pandemic, there have been growing concern of women being vulnerable to domestic violence. To address this issue Union Government launched an ambitious project called- ‘Sakhi’, a one stop centre that provides support and assistance to women affected by violence, sexual exploitation, physical or mental torture, dowry and domestic violence. It also provides police, medical and legal help to such victims.
In Rajouri district, ever since the ‘Sakhi’ centre came into operation its effective service delivery has been touching new milestones. It has so far settled more than 180 cases and is working effectively in reaching out and helping women populace in distress. As social distancing norms and restriction in mobility severely hampered the ability of victims to approach the Sakhi Centres for registration of their grievances, the Centre started registration of complaints on a helpline number 181. Women can also approach the nearest Anganwadi Centre to register their complaint. Every effort is being laid to keep these Centres functional at the time of lockdown so as to ensure that every woman in the District feels safe knowing they have someone to listen to their grievance. Till date, 10 cases have been reported through telephone and the team of OSC is visiting the sites to help the women in distress.
District Administration Rajouri and the concerned Nodal Officer of One Stop Centre worked in tandem and roped in BDC Chairpersons, Chairman and Vice Chairman of MCs, Sarpanches,panches and ward councillor to visit house to house and generate awareness among the women about the helpline number 181 where they could call for help.
While speaking about the One stop Centre, the Administrator OSC Rajouri informed that the Centre was overwhelmed by the support received from the representatives of PRIs and Urban Local Bodies who realized the gravity of the situation and made special effort to spread the message to maximu number of women in the district.
