Delhi’s women distress helpline to be replicated in other states: Govt sources
24 Jun 2014 5:01 AM IST
The Delhi government’s successful helpline for women in distress, 181, is likely to be replicated across states. Sources said that union minister for women and child development Maneka Gandhi is keen on opening similar helplines across other states as well.
The helpline was launched on 31 December, 2012, to help women in distress and prevent the increasing rate of crime against women. Former chief minister Sheila Dikshit had launched the helpline.
A senior city government official said a proposal to this effect was also submitted to the union ministry on Friday. ‘The minister seemed keen to open up similar helplines all over the country. As security for women is a state subject, the Centre will allocate funds to open up their respective helpline. 181 will be made operational by the states. However, they will be directly monitored by the Centre.’
Sources said that the helpline’s priority would be to ensure that any woman who calls up on the toll free number should be provided with quick redressal. ‘When any woman calls up in distress, we generally think she may not be telling the truth. First and foremost we need to accept her version as a gospel truth. Only then can we help women in distress,’ a senior member from the 181 helpline centre told this newspaper.
The proposal submitted by the city administration has suggested that each helpline should be connected with the one-stop crisis centre. ‘The crisis centre should have direct access to the hospitals, police headquarters and special courts dealing with women-related issues and a battery of trained councilors,’ a source said. ‘Once a woman reports her grievance or matter to the helpline, it should automatically have a chain effect for better results’, the source added.
Sources have also said that the proposal has also suggested that women in distress are generally sent back to their homes. ‘We need to access each case separately. There are cases where women land up in trouble once they go back to their respective places. Such women need to be sent to shelter homes,’ the source said.
A major suggestion made in the proposal is that each state should set up e-courts. ‘These courts can record their statements under section 164 of the CRPC or cross examine them in presence of their women advocates through Skype.’ A senior official said that setting up of e-courts was a one-time investment. These courts can over time be set up in each district.
Sources said that the union government may launch a pilot project in two states. After analysis of the results, the helpline can then be opened in other states. The best thing is to go for one state after the other for its effective implementation.
The helpline was launched on 31 December, 2012, to help women in distress and prevent the increasing rate of crime against women. Former chief minister Sheila Dikshit had launched the helpline.
A senior city government official said a proposal to this effect was also submitted to the union ministry on Friday. ‘The minister seemed keen to open up similar helplines all over the country. As security for women is a state subject, the Centre will allocate funds to open up their respective helpline. 181 will be made operational by the states. However, they will be directly monitored by the Centre.’
Sources said that the helpline’s priority would be to ensure that any woman who calls up on the toll free number should be provided with quick redressal. ‘When any woman calls up in distress, we generally think she may not be telling the truth. First and foremost we need to accept her version as a gospel truth. Only then can we help women in distress,’ a senior member from the 181 helpline centre told this newspaper.
The proposal submitted by the city administration has suggested that each helpline should be connected with the one-stop crisis centre. ‘The crisis centre should have direct access to the hospitals, police headquarters and special courts dealing with women-related issues and a battery of trained councilors,’ a source said. ‘Once a woman reports her grievance or matter to the helpline, it should automatically have a chain effect for better results’, the source added.
Sources have also said that the proposal has also suggested that women in distress are generally sent back to their homes. ‘We need to access each case separately. There are cases where women land up in trouble once they go back to their respective places. Such women need to be sent to shelter homes,’ the source said.
A major suggestion made in the proposal is that each state should set up e-courts. ‘These courts can record their statements under section 164 of the CRPC or cross examine them in presence of their women advocates through Skype.’ A senior official said that setting up of e-courts was a one-time investment. These courts can over time be set up in each district.
Sources said that the union government may launch a pilot project in two states. After analysis of the results, the helpline can then be opened in other states. The best thing is to go for one state after the other for its effective implementation.
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