24-hour women helpline '181' launched :: Society needs to change outlook on woman: Nemcha
Source: IT News
Imphal, June 23 2017:
A women helpline '181' was launched today at the premises of DC office, Imphal West with the objective of providing 24-hour telecom service to women affected by violence and seeking support and information.
The number 181 will be a single uniform code for women victims of violence to avail help across the country though referral by linking with appropriated authority such as police, one stop centre and hospital and providing information about government related schemes.
The state's women helpline is outsourced to Manipur State Commission for Women and will be operated from a two-room office inside the premises of Imphal West DC office at Lamphelpat with principal secretary of social welfare department heading the steering and monitoring committee at the state level and respective deputy commissioner heading those at the district level.
Seven staffs have been engaged initially on casual/daily wage system while the service of a supervisor and security officials have been sought from Imphal West District Police.
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Social welfare minister, Nemcha Kipgen; chairperson of MSCW, K Sobita; deputy commissioner of Imphal West N Geoffrey; principal secretary of SW department JC Ramthanga; and director of social welfare, Jacintha Lazarus were the main dignitaries who attended the opening function.
Welcoming the launch of the emergency helpline, Nemcha Kipgen took a pledge to do everything in her capacity as the lone woman minister to fight violence against women.
She said crimes against women were recorded in the past without showing any restriction of culture, community and region but in the recent past the number of its occurrence in the state has increased at an alarming rate.
Violence targeting women and girls is occurring at public and private space and the administration should take up stringent actions against the perpetrators through effective execution of the laws, Nemcha said.
Stating that such violence can be linked with the low status of women in society, she made an appeal that they be treated with respect and at par with man.
People's attitude towards women has to change to ensure that violence against them is reduced, she added.
According to officials the helpline will also facilitate crisis and non crisis intervention through referral to appropriate agencies and provide appropriate support services.