0
0
NIRBHAYA FUND
The Government of India has set up a dedicated fund called “Nirbhaya Fund” for implementation of initiative(s)/ scheme(s)/ project(s) aimed at enhancing the safety and security of women in the country. The initiatives undertaken and the amount disbursed thereunder as part of Nirbhaya Fund since its inception are at Annexure-I. Further, State/ UT-wise amount disbursed during the year 2019-2022 for the initiatives under Nirbhaya Fund are at Annexure-II.
One of the initiatives, i.e., 24X7 Women Helplines (WHLs) with short-code 181 provides emergency and non-emergency services as well as information dissemination about women centric government schemes, policies and programmes to the needy women.
One Stop Centre (OSC) popularly known as Sakhi Centre, are getting operationalised across the country since 1st April 2015 with the objectives to provide integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence and distress, both in private and public spaces under one roof and facilitate immediate, emergency and non-emergency access to a range of services including police, medical, legal aid and counselling, psychological support to fight against any forms of violence against women. As of now, 758 OSCs have been approved and out of which 708 are operational in 35 States/.
The services of OSCs and WHL are available both in rural and urban areas.
In addition, Government of India has launched ‘Mission Shakti’ – an integrated women empowerment programme as umbrella scheme for the safety, security and empowerment of women. Its component of Hubs for Empowerment of Women (HEW) under ‘Samarthya sub-scheme, at the National, State/ UT and District level is for facilitating inter-sectoral convergence of schemes and programs meant for women with a mandates to create an environment through awareness generation, sensitization, training etc., in which the women realize their full potential.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
