The Telangana State launched a women’s helpline, 181, to ensure their safety when in distress and to check violence against them.
The State Minister for Women and Child Welfare, Thummala Nageswara Rao, who launched the helpline at the Secretariat here on Saturday, said the Telangana government had been in the forefront in the country in launching several initiatives for the safety and security of women. The objective of the helpline was to see that no woman remains helpless and in distress and it would work 24x7 for 365 days to help those facing domestic violence, sexual harassment in public, private and at workplaces and those subjected to trafficking and atrocities, he said.
The Telangana State that achieved impressive results after constituting the She Teams to nab those indulging in eve-teasing, has now taken another step to step up protection of women. Women from any remote corner of the State can call 181 and lodge their complaints. The helpline would provide counselling too, the Minister said. He added that depending on the need, police, medical and counselling services would be extended to the women seeking help. If required, temporary shelter would be provided in both government and non-government homes. Emphasising that wide publicity should be given to the women helpline, he said the number should instantly come to the mind of every woman when their safety was in peril.
Women’s Corporation Chairperson Gundu Sudharani said several programmes were launched by the government, including pension for single women and Kalyana Lakshmi for women’s welfare. The helpline 181 was also linked to every department to extend help to the women, she said.
Women and Child Welfare Secretary Jagadeeshwar said the helpline was launched with the technology provided by GVK-EMRI and it would be run with the financial assistance from the State and the Centre.
Women and Child Welfare Department Director Vijayendra Boyi, Hyderabad Joint Collector Prashanthi, regional organisers, corporators and others attended the event.
