Port Blair, June 9: One Stop Centre (OSC) under the Directorate of Social Welfare organized an online awareness session on the safety and security of women and girls. Dr. Nitin Shakya, Director (Social Welfare), stressed on the importance of raising awareness on women's safety and security. He stated that women's safety involves self-worth, safe homes recognize their rights, provide proper respect, and empower women. He also informed the participants that these rights include the right to live free from violence and discrimination, to enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, to be educated, to own property, to vote and to earn an equal wage.

Smti Santhi Murugesan, Central Administrator, One Stop Centre spoke on various legislation enacted by GoI, such as the Criminal Law Amendment Act 2013, Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013 and Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005.

Smti Nadira Begum, Psycho-Social Counsellor, One Stop Centre stressed on the safety and security of women and girls which are fundamental aspects of human rights and critical indicators of social development. She remarked that women and girls face various forms of violence, including domestic abuse and sexual assault.

The session concluded with Smti Janagi, Case Worker, One Stop Centre, enlightening the participants on the objectives of One Stop Centre Scheme, which provides integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence during distress, both in private and public spaces. 

One Stop Centre facilitates a range of services, including medical and legal assistance, a minimum of five days of temporary shelter, police assistance, and it provides psychological counselling support, all under one roof near Ayush Hospital, Junglighat, a press release from Directorate of Social Welfare said.