The national women’s helpline 181, set up by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Welfare, will be functional across Kerala by the end of March.
The helpline, which was set up as part of the Centre’s efforts to unify all women’s aid facilities under a single toll-free number, is currently functional in New Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Goa and Gujarat and is being extended to the rest of the country.
In Kerala, the 181 helpline will be run by the State Women’s Development Corporation. All other helplines at the district and State-level in Kerala will be integrated to this helpline. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will launch the 181 helpline by the end of March.
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The 181 helpline will be a toll-free line, accessible from mobile and landline, through which women can access help as well as services round the clock, including during emergencies. The nearest police station, major hospital and ambulance services can be accessed through this number. All information regarding government welfare schemes and various women’s services/facilities will also be available.
A wide and integrated database is being readied for the launch of the 181 helpline. Various government departments, autonomous institutions, voluntary organisations and local self governments are involved in this process.
The personnel who will handle the helpline are being trained. Preparations are being made in such a manner that once the helpline becomes functional, there will not be any disruptions, managing director of KSWDC V. C. Bindu said on Monday.
The functioning of the 181 helpline will be coordinated through a control room at Technopark, under a woman manager, who will be responsible for every phone call seeking intervention. She will evaluate the calls and intervene on subsequent occasions on behalf of the complainant. She will be assisted by a team including supervisor, senior call responder, and IT experts.
A unified helpline for women becomes very relevant in the current environment in the State wherein attacks on women and those travelling alone, have raised questions about women’s safety in general. By taking over the responsibility of the 181 helpline, KSWDC will have a pivotal role to play in empowering women, Ms. Bindu said.
