Ministry of WCD to set up One Stop Centres to Help Women hit by Violence

By: WE Staff | Wednesday, 26 May 2021

THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (WCD) announced on Tuesday that, in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, it will establish One-Stop Centres (OSC) in foreign missions to support women affected by violence in public and private spaces. The first 10 OSCs will be introduced in Australia, Canada, Singapore, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia.

Senior ministry officials stated that the MEA identified the countries based on the Indian diaspora population, and that these centres will be run by the MEA but funded by the WCD Ministry.

“This is to help women overseas, who are victims of violence or are simply stuck due to particular situations. They can now approach these centres for immediate as well as non-immediate support including legal aid, medical support and counselling,” said a senior official.

The Ministry of Women and Child Development, a branch of the Government of India, is the supreme authority in India for the formulation and administration of rules, regulations, and laws pertaining to women and child development. Smriti Irani is the current Minister of Women and Child Development, having held the position since May 31, 2019.

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme, One Stop Centre Scheme, Women Helpline Scheme, UJJAWALA : A Comprehensive Scheme for Prevention of trafficking and Rescue, Rehabilitation and Re-integration of Victims of Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation, Working Women Hostel, SWADHAR Greh (A Scheme for Women in Difficult Circumstances), NARI SHAKTI PURASKAR, NIRBHAYA, Mahila police Volunteers are the schemes that are implemented by Ministry of Women & Child Development for empowering women.