Union Cabinet continues Umbrella Scheme on 'Safety of Women'

By: WE Staff | Thursday, 22 February 2024

The Umbrella Scheme on ‘Safety of Women’ is approved for the continuation by the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. The initiative would channelize between 2021-2022 and 2025-2026 at an allocated amount of Rs. 1,179.72 crores. The initiative would be funded by two sources that include, Rs. 885.49 crores from the Nirbhaya Fund and Rs. 294.23 crores from the Ministry of Home Affairs personal budget. The major aim of this initiative is to improve the systems for immediate intervention, effective investigation, and crime prevention for women and children in India.

The democratic land of India often fails to meet the crucial requirement of women’s safety. The safety of women in India is dependent on a number of factors, such as legal frameworks, effective judicial systems, fast resolutions of complaints, and easily accessible victim support channels. The Indian government, working with the states and Union Territories has initiated a number of projects under the Umbrella Scheme for ‘Safety of Women’ in order to solve these issues.

The major projects under this initiative include 112 Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) 2.0, the Upgradation of Central Forensic Sciences laboratories, with the creation of a National Forensic Data Centre, Increasing the capabilities of State Forensic Science Laboratories (FSLs) in DNA analysis and cyber forensics, Preventing Cybercrimes Against Women and Children, Building investigators and prosecutors capacities and providing them with training on handling cases of sexual abuse against women and children, and also the Units Against Human Trafficking and the Women Help Desk. All of these projects would help to improve women’s security and safety across the nation.