The Ministry of Women and Child Development is celebrating the International Women’s Day week from 1st to 8th March, 2022 as a part of nationwide celebrations of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’. The project is aimed at extending mental health training to 6000 OSC functionaries across India. Later in the day, in the afternoon session, a consultative conclave on capacity building of OSCs was organized in collaboration with NALSA.The event was attended by Government officials, representatives of NIMHANS, NALSA and the representatives of OSCs from across the country.
The Union Minister, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, during the morning session welcomed all the One Stop Centre ‘Sakhis’ and called them the sentinels who guard the rights of women and children in the country. Smt. Irani said that “today, the project which we are discussing with NIMHANS, if we look at it as just a project, we will find ourselves limited to the administrative framework, but this project is intended to give life and dignity to women and break the cycle of violence”. Explaining the importance of imparting correct family values and its impact, the Union Minister explained how cycle of violence begins from home when a child witnesses such violence at home whereas the right set of family values empower women by giving the right values to the child at home.
Smt. Smriti Irani further stated that when a woman comes to a One Stop Centre, she requires a lot of courage to come out and admit that she has been victimized. Therefore, Smt. Irani insisted that all staff at OSCs need to be trained right from counsellors to the security guard and supervisor in helping distressed women. In a tweet, the Union Minister said that the Training module meticulously carved out by NIMHANS will aid functionaries in helping distressed women and also provide self-care techniques.
During the afternoon session organized in collaboration with NALSA, the Union Minister appreciated the efforts of lawyers across the country from NALSA and SLSA who have gone a long way in helping women victims in OSCs. She announced that Ministry of WCD is looking forward for a pilot on ‘Naari Adalat’ with the help of NALSA so that women victims can get speedy justice. Smt. Irani also addressed the concerns of the staff of OSCs regarding their service conditions and announced that all OSCs staff would be covered under the insurance scheme
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.Films on Stree Manoraksha Project and assistance through NALSA were also played during the event for awareness generation. The women assisted by One Stop Centres also participated and shared their experiences during the celebration. Interactive sessions were held with the beneficiaries and representatives of OSCs
