Mysuru: ‘181’, the exclusive toll-free helpline number for women will be set up soon. On the lines of child helpline 1098, the exclusive grievances cell for the women with a toll-free number will start functioning. It has already been implemented in a few states.
The women’s helpline is intended to provide 24 hours immediate and emergency response to women affected by violence through referral, linking with appropriate authority such as police and hospital and passing information about women related government schemes programmes across the country via a single uniform number. It will be integrated with One Stop Centre (OSC) scheme under which one OSC shall be established in every district to provide integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence, both in private and public spaces under one roof.
Speaking to Newskarnataka, Radha, Deputy Director, Women and Child Welfare Department, said “The women in need can call the number with complaints of outrage or violence meted out to them or any type of atrocities they face and same could be acted upon without delay. The 181 helpline service can be accessed 24×7 in all the districts. The helpline number will assist women to get immediate assistance in an emergency situation. Women can complain about domestic violence, sexual harassment, dowry cases and eve teasing in public and workplace. This helpline will function 24×7 and provide service to women at free of cost. Within a month, it will be operational in Karnataka.” She also mentioned that some of the women’s cases have also been solved at the child helpline.
“From April to October this year, from across the district, we have received 181 various cases related to women which include husband having an illicit relationship, harassment by husband or desertion by him without any reason. Among 181 cases reported between April and October, we have managed to solve 82 cases and 99 are pending at various stages including in court”, added Radha.