As a part of nationwide celebrations of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) is celebrating the International Women’s Day week from 1st to 8th March, 2022 which was inaugurated by Union Minister Smriti Zubin Irani, MoWCD at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, Delhi on March 1, 2022.
- The inaugural event of the week was organised by the MoWCD in collaboration with Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) to raise awareness on safety and security of women.
- During the event, an insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh was announced for the workers of One Stop Centres (OSC), established in 2015 under Nirbhaya fund to provide mental, legal and medical aid to distressed women.
Key Highlights:
i.Interactive sessions were held by BPR&D and National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD).
ii.The event highlighted the current developments in the country and the initiatives that have been implemented through MWCD for the safety, security and enhancing psychological wellbeing of women.
Launch of Stree Manoraksha Project
MoWCD launched the ‘Stree Manoraksha Project’ in collaboration with National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru, Karnataka with an aim to improve the mental health of women in India. The project will focus on building on capacity building of 6000 OSC functionaries on the tools and techniques as to how to handle the cases of women approaching the OSCs, particularly the women who have suffered violence and distress with due sensitivity and care.
- In this regard, Minister, WCD launched the advance certificate course for OSC Councilors and also released the resource material for capacity building of OSC Staff.
- The Training module is carved out by NIMHANS.
MoWCD Collaborated with NALSA
A consultative conclave on capacity building of OSCs was organized in collaboration with NALSA (National Legal Services Authority). During this, a collaboration of MoWCD with NALSA is announced which build on capacity and training of OSC functionaries across the country about the legal provisions under law for safety and security of women, awareness about pro-bono legal assistance to women through NALSA and the Victim Compensation Scheme, among others.
- The Legal Services Authorities (LSA) Act, 1987 provides for free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of the society including women and children.
Legal Services provided by Government
i.MoWCD is looking forward for a pilot on ‘Naari Adalat’ with the help of NALSA so that women victims can get speedy justice.
ii.Nyaya Bandhu (Pro-bono Legal Services) is a programme to link the persons eligible to avail free legal aid under Section 12 of LSA Act, 1987 with lawyers.
iii.Tele-law programme, provides legal advice to public including persons entitled for free legal aid under Section 12 of LSA Act, 1987, at pre-litigation stage by the Panel Lawyers through 75,000 Common Service Centre (CSC) at the Panchayats.
MoWCD Collaborated with BPR&D
On this occasion, it has been decided that MoWCD in collaboration with BPR&D will build on capacity building and training of OSC functionaries to deal with the cases of crimes against women.
- Further, MWCD in collaboration with BPR&D will also initiate self defense training programmes through NIPCCD.
Recent Related News:
On the recommendations of MoWCD, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister (PM) of India, Narendra Modi has given its nod for proposal to bring uniformity in the marriageable age of men and women, thereby, increasing the legal age of marriage of women from 18 to 21 years.
About Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD):
Union Minister– Smriti Zubin Irani(Constituency- Amethi, Uttar Pradesh)
Minister of State (MoS)– Dr. Munjpara Mahendrabhai Kalubhai (Constituency- Surendranagar, Gujarat)
