WOMEN HELPLINE TO CONTROL CRIME

The Women Helpline aims to provide 24 hours emergency and non-emergency response through telephonic short-code 181 to women, both in public and private spaces by linking them with appropriate authorities such as Police, One Stop Centres, hospitals, Legal Services Authorities etc. Women Help Lines (WHL) also support women in distress with counseling services in addition to providing information about women welfare schemes and programs across the country. Presently, WHLs is functional in 34 States/ UTs.

Further, the Government has decided to integrate the Women Helpline (WHL-181) with Childline-1098 and Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112) and their linkage with One Stop Centres as well as Districts Child Protection Units for providing smooth and seamless helpline services to women and children.

The Ministry of Women and Child Development undertakes reviews of the implementation of its schemes, including Women Helpline, through official visits, meetings, video conferences, workshops etc. from time to time with concerned authorities and functionaries of the scheme. The number of calls registered/ received and women benefitted/ assisted during each of the last three years and the current year is enclosed at Annexure.

A third party evaluation of the schemes of the Ministry, including analysis of implementation the WHL Scheme was conducted during the Financial Year 2020-21 by NITI Aayog. The study found the relevance, efficiency and sustainability of the scheme as satisfactory. Based on the findings of the said study, the scheme has been included as a component of sub-scheme ‘Sambal’ under Mission Shakti for implementation during period of 15th Finance Commission Cycle i.e. upto 2025-26.

This information was given by the THE MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT, SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

Annexure

Year-wise and State/UT-wise number of calls registered/ received and women assisted through Women Helpline during each of the last three years and the current year.

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SS/AKS