WCD Ministry approves 100 more One Stop Centres

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi :  At the Programme Approval Board (PAB) meeting of the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) on May 7, 2018, 100 additional One Stop Centres (OSCs)were  approved in the states of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.

The Ministry of Women & Child Development has set up 182 Centres till date under the scheme of One Stop Centres (OSCs) for women affected by violence since April, 2015. Over 1.3 lakh such women affected by violence have been assisted at these centres till date in 33 States/UTs.

The purpose of these OSCs is to facilitate integrated services for women affected by violence by way of police assistance, medical aid, psycho-social counselling, legal aid/counselling, temporary stay for 5 days etc. The aggrieved women can avail services under one roof. The OSCs are established in existing buildings and in new constructed buildings in a standard format.

As per the Cabinet Decision on  April 21, 2018, it was decided that in the coming years every district will be covered by one OSC and each OSC will be strengthened with an additional annual grant of Rs 50,000 for immediate assistance for first aid, according to a PIB release.

Also, the scheme of Universalization of Women’s Helpline (181) of the Ministry that was  started in April, 2015, has now become operational in 30 States/UTs.  Every OSC is integrated to this Women Helpline. The Helplines have assisted over 16.5 lakh women so far.