Nirbhaya Diwas:

Fortifying Women's Safety

Around one in three women worldwide, which is about 736 million, have faced physical or sexual violence from a partner or someone else at least once in their life, according to UN Women. These statistics show that urgent action is needed from leaders and law enforcement to combat gender-based violence to create a more just and equitable society. Nirbhaya Diwas is observed on December 16th each year in India to emphasise zero tolerance for sexual violence. This day reminds us that ensuring women's safety is closely connected to the bigger goal of achieving gender equality. Nirbhaya Diwas provides a platform for speaking up, spreading awareness, and discussing policies to make society safer and fairer for women.

Nirbhaya Fund

The Government of India has set up a dedicated fund called "Nirbhaya Fund" for the implementation of initiative(s)/ scheme(s)/ project(s) aimed at enhancing the safety and security of women in the country. This dedicated fund, operating as a non-lapsable corpus under the purview of the Ministry of Finance, serves as a financial backbone for initiatives aimed at addressing and preventing violence against women. As indicated in the annual report of the Ministry of Women & Child Development for the fiscal year 2022-23, a substantial allocation of Rs. 6712.85 Cr. has been earmarked under the Nirbhaya Fund, emphasising the financial resources dedicated to women's safety.

Sakhi Centre: In tandem with this commitment, the One Stop Centre (OSC), commonly known as the Sakhi Centre, has been strategically operationalised nationwide since April 1, 2015. These centers, operating as singular establishments, serve as hubs offering immediate and comprehensive support to women facing violence and distress. The services provided include police assistance, medical aid, legal support, counseling, and psychological assistance. By facilitating both emergency and non-emergency access, these centers are pivotal in combatting various forms of violence against women, creating a tangible network of support services and financial resources to address the multifaceted challenges associated with violence against women in both private and public spaces.

24x7 Helpline: Another initiative of the government under this fund is 24X7 Women Helplines (WHLs) with short-code 181 which provides emergency and non-emergency services as well as information dissemination about women-centric government schemes, policies, and programmes to women.

The round-the-clock availability of this helpline ensures that women in distress have access to help at any time, offering a lifeline during emergencies such as domestic violence, harassment, or sexual assault.

According to UN Women, less than 40 per cent of the women who experience violence seek help of any sort.  Helplines such as these encourage women to share their experiences without fear of judgement, fostering a safe space for disclosure and confidentiality. By raising awareness, providing education, and collecting data on reported incidents, it also contributes to changing societal attitudes toward violence, creating a more informed and empowered community. Ultimately, these helplines act as a crucial resource in the broader effort to combat and prevent violence against women.

Additional Scheme by Ministry of Women & Child Development

Under Nirbhaya Fund, a scheme of the Ministry of Women & Child Development namely the Scheme for Critical Care and Support for Accessing Justice to Gang Rape Survivors and Minor Girls who get pregnant was appraised at the total cost of Rs.74.10 cr. This scheme is specifically designed to aid rape survivors, victims of gang rape, and minor girls who find themselves pregnant. The primary objective is to offer a comprehensive support system, addressing the immediate needs of these individuals who may have been abandoned by their families due to forced pregnancies resulting from rape or other distressing circumstances. The scheme encompasses provisions for shelter, food, daily necessities, safe transportation for court hearings, and legal aid, recognising the unique challenges faced by minor girls in such situations. The urgency and necessity of such a scheme are underscored by the distressing statistics reported by the National Crime Records Bureau for the year 2022. A staggering 62095 cases were registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, with majority of these cases falling under the categories of penetrative sexual assault and aggravated penetrative sexual assault. Further analysis reveals the alarming fact that 99% of these cases were perpetrated against girls, leading to pregnancies in many instances. The Scheme for Critical Care and Support for Accessing Justice directly addresses the physical and mental health concerns of these girls, particularly when they face abandonment or disownment by their families or are left orphaned.

The core objectives of this scheme are twofold: first, to provide integrated support and assistance to girl child victims under one roof, and second, to facilitate immediate access, both in emergency and non-emergency situations, to a comprehensive range of services. These services include education, police assistance, medical care (including maternity, neonatal, and infant care), psychological and mental counseling, legal support, and insurance cover for the girl child victim and her newborn. By addressing the immediate needs of these vulnerable individuals, the scheme aims not only to enable access to justice but also to contribute to the rehabilitation of girl child victims who have experienced traumatic incidents.

Nirbhaya Dashboard

The Nirbhaya Dashboard is a digital platform for all concerned Ministries/ Departments, States/ UTs/Districts to update the Status of expenditure and details of women availing the Schemes/ Projects funded under the Nirbhaya Fund. The dashboard promotes transparency by providing a centralised platform for monitoring the allocation and utilisation of funds dedicated to women's safety. It enhances accountability as concerned Ministries/Departments and States/UTs/ Districts are required to update the status of expenditure. The digital platform enables efficient tracking of fund utilisation, helping authorities identify any bottlenecks or areas requiring additional resources. It facilitates data-driven decision-making, allowing for adjustments in resource allocation based on the effectiveness of different schemes and projects. The dashboard can lead to more effective and timely implementation of initiatives funded by the Nirbhaya Fund, as stakeholders can monitor progress and address challenges promptly. Women, as beneficiaries of the schemes/projects funded under the Nirbhaya Fund, can benefit from increased transparency. They can access information about the status of projects and funds allocated to enhance their safety. The data collected through the dashboard can be analysed to identify trends, gaps, and areas of improvement. This information can inform the development of targeted policies and interventions to address specific challenges faced by women.

Gender Equality and Gender Budgeting

According to the World Bank, violence against women is estimated to cost countries up to 3.7% of their GDP - more than double what most governments spend on education. In tandem with the commitment to creating a society free from violence and discrimination, Gender Budgeting is an approach embedded in the public financial management cycle. This approach prioritises a gender-responsive formulation of legislation, policies, plans, programs, and schemes, ensuring that government resources are allocated in a manner that meets differential gender needs. The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), serving as the nodal Ministry for Gender Budgeting, underscores that this approach goes beyond earmarking funds for women and girls; it is a powerful strategy intended to create a positive impact in their lives, further advancing the broader goals of gender equality, women's empowerment and public finances altogether.

In conclusion, Nirbhaya Day, marked by Zero Tolerance for rape, underscores the ongoing pursuit of women's safety intricately linked to the broader objective of achieving gender equality. The commitment to fortifying the safety and security of women, as exemplified by the Nirbhaya Fund, demonstrates a financial backbone dedicated to addressing and preventing violence against women.

Reducing violence against women requires a community-focused, multi-faceted approach and collaboration with various groups. The idea of empowerment through safety is crucial, emphasising that a secure environment is vital for women's economic participation and empowerment. Feeling safe encourages pursuits like education, employment, and starting businesses, contributing to overall economic growth and stability. By creating safe spaces, society not only encourages women to engage in various activities but also supports their significant contributions to the nation's social, economic, and political fabric, building a society where everyone, regardless of gender, can thrive without the threat of violence and discrimination.

Compiled by Kaushikee, Induja Tyagi, EN Team

Source: PIB, UN Women, World Bank, Annual Report of Ministry of Women & Child Development, Govt. of India