Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 20: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan today convened a meeting to review the preparation for the launch of ‘One Stop Centre’ scheme for women who have been victims of various kinds of violence.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Deputy Director Planning, officers from Social Welfare and other concerned officers were present in the meeting whereas Deputy Commissioners of Anantnag, Kupwara, Bandipora and Leh participated the meeting through video conferencing.
The meeting was informed that Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), has formulated a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for setting up ‘One Stop Centre’, a sub-scheme of Umbrella Scheme for National Mission for Empowerment of women including Indira Gandhi Mattritav Sahyaog Yojana (IGMSY).
One Stop Centres (OSCs) are intended to support women affected by violence, in private and public spaces, within the family, community and at the workplace. The victims, under this scheme can seek help by directly walking in or by calling a toll free number. The victims of rape, dowry harassment and domestic violence will get medical aid and also help in filing FIRs, legal advice and psychological counselling.
The Centres will be established across the country to provide integrated support and assistance under one roof to women affected by violence, both in private and public spaces in phased manner. In first phase, Srinagar, Anantnag, Kupwara, Bandipora and Leh districts were selected for the said scheme.
Div Com directed the concerned Deputy Commissioners to start the ‘One Stop Centre” for women within 2 kiolmeters of district hospitals. He also directed them to engage Nodal officer for setting-up help line number so that this scheme will be effectively implemented in these districts for the betterment of the women folk.
He also directed concerned to study the guidelines of the scheme and send the report to the Divisional Commissioner office within a week so that ‘One Stop Centre’ scheme for women will be launched soon in the five districts of the valley.