Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network-Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Mar 6: Union minister for Women and Child Welfare Maneka Sanjay Gandhi inaugurated the one-stop service centre ‘Sakhi Kendra’ at Nittur at the campus of Women Stay Home, Government Stri Seva Nikethan organisation on Monday, March 5.

Speaking to the gathering, she said, “This is for the first time that a one stop service centre for women is set up in Karnataka. I am privileged to be part of this programme.”

Praising the works of MP Shobha Karandlaje, Maneka said, “She is electric with her work in the state. She is a very hard working woman. Shobha was behind me for this service centre from the last four years. When I became a minister, Nirbhaya rape case had just happened. So there was a question about the safety of women who are exploited by husband or raped. In India, these women survivors approach police department for help but in many cases police take them lightly or ignore them by saying that your dress was not correct or you might not be treated well by husband or as a daughter-in-law.

“So many of them are even afraid to report their issues and suffer in silence. I do not know much about south Indian police. There were instances where police exploited women victims. As I have heard that north Indian police are more dangerous than other states, we decided to implement 33% women reservation in police stations and made it mandatory. At least two women police officers should be there for five policemen in each station.

“The Sakhi Kendra will have helpline number, nurses, counselors, lawyer, a police officer and other required services under one stop. In India, cases prolong for 10-15 years to get justice. This centre will help women to get speedy help. The committed lawyer will fight for her case. If a woman approaches any hospital without any documents about domestic violence or other issues, she is subjected to hundreds of questions. Nowadays, doctors do not have patience to listen their complaints. In these circumstances, the centre will help these aggrieved women.

“The department has decided to set Sakhi Kendra in other districts such as Mysuru, Dharwad, Chamarajnagar, Chitradurga, Bagalkot, Tumkuru and Udupi. We have already set up 171 such service centres across the nation in three years from 2015 till now where thousands of women are getting help.

“The volunteers from Delhi will conduct workshops and give training for faculty here. Over seven states have agreed to adopt 33% women reservation in police station. I have suggested setting up a team of ten women police volunteers in every state. There is a team of ten women police volunteers called ‘Shaurya dal’ in Maharashtra to safeguarding the life of women. They manage domestic violence issues like harassment of woman, women education and others. It has become a very successful project. They also send a contingent during the Republic Day parade. The same plan will be set up in Haryana. This will be executed soon in Karnataka. A 1000-bed stay home for widows was installed in Brindavan in Varanasi. The acid attack victims will get all the facilities which are being provided for physically challenged. We have made it mandatory to mention the word ‘Widow’ in the column of death certificate of husbands to get pension or other government allowances.

“The government has made it mandatory to provide six month maternity leave with remuneration for all working women. This will help them in taking care of the child from the beginning. Let us make use of all these benefits. I wish the Sakhi centre and hospital may function without any complaints. Any woman victim of the state can get help from Sakhi centre.

District in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj said, “Maneka Gandhi has great concern for wildlife. During 1974, when my mother Manorama Madhwaraj was a minister, she contributed a portion of land for women and child welfare department. I would like to thank her on this occasion. The one stop centre for women will help the exploited women and protect their rights assured in the constitution.”

MP Shobha Karandlaje said, “The service centre will provide all facilities to women especially for those who are looking forward to getting legal, medical or police department helps. Let this centre operate for the welfare of needy women in safeguarding their interests.”

Priyanka Mary Francis, deputy commissioner of Udupi district, Venkatalakshmi Basavalingaraju, president, Karnataka state social welfare board, Vanitha Thorvi, chairperson, state women and child rights protection commission, Meenakshi Madhav Bannanje, president of Udupi council, Dinakar Babu, president, Udupi zilla panchayat, Sheela K Shetty, vice president, Udupi zilla panchayat, Gracy Gonsalvese, deputy director, Women and Child welfare department were present on the occasion.