Minister urges victims to use helpline number 181
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 07 2022:
Informing that Social Welfare Department is operating helpline number 181 for women victims of any crime or women in need of help, social welfare minister Heikham Dingo has appealed to the people of the state to avail the service.
The minister made the appeal during a one-day state level consultation programme on 'Women Helpline (181) and Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, Redressal) Act, 2013' organised by the department at Sangai Hall, Imphal Hotel, here, on Wednesday.
Social welfare director Ngangom Uttam and Manipur State Commission for Women chairperson Salam Ulka also attended the programme.
Speaking as chief guest of the event, Dingo elab orated on activities being undertaken by Social Welfare Department for welfare for the society.
While expressing elation on entrusted the responsibility to lead such an important government institution, he said that it is a perfect way to serve the society.
Along with highlighting the roles and responsibilities of the department's staff in delivering benefits of different schemes and initiatives to the public, the minister observed that status of women is relatively high in Mani puri society.
They play a major part in improving the state's economy and the historic Ima Keithel is the perfect example of this fact.
Describing as disheartening to see escalation in the rate of crimes committed against women and children in such a society, he reiterated the appeal to contact the toll free number 181 for as and when women face distressful situation.
He also stressed the need for mass awareness on Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, Redressal) Act, 2013 in order to prevent sexual harassment against women at workplaces.
Director Ngangom Uttam also spoke about the helpline number 181 and expressed concern oyer the lack of awareness of the service among the people.
He stressed the need for extensive awareness programmes and encouraged women victims to use the service.
He also spoke on ways to prevent sexual harassment against women at workplaces and stressed on the role of women supervisors in the department in order to enforce this Act as well as educate the public about the helpline number.