Women's Helpline To Be Launched Soon In Kerala

There is a rising concern about women’s safety in all parts of the country. The latest initiative to ensure safety of women has come from Kerala. On Tuesday, the health and social justice minister of Kerala, K K Shylaja, launched the logo of a women’s helpline -- Mitra 181 -- in the state.

Shylaja is of the view that to curb violence against women, all three parameters -- executive, legislature and judiciary -- need to come together and work in a joint mechanism.

The minister said that society needs to go through a change in mindset towards women and awareness programs should be started to bring that change. She also asked the Kerala State Women’s Development Corporation to start such programs.

Shylaja said that the helpline will be announced on March 27 by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan. She appealed that those who are caught misbehaving with women and involved in violent acts against them should be caught quickly and produced before the law.

Apart from her, social justice special secretary Mini Antony, Kerala State Women’s Development Corporation managing director Bindu V C and Kerala Social Security Mission director Ashil were also present at the programme to launch the logo.

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The helpline will allow women to file their complaints 24X7 and will provide all necessary services. Women will be able to access the nearest police station, hospital and ambulance service. The helpline will also allow women to know about the various women-oriented programmes that the government of Kerala is running at the particular time period when a woman makes a call.

The helpline centre is being set up at Technopark and the minister also mentioned that there is also a programme to train the staff member about its functioning.

Picture credit- Better India