Government Strengthens Women’s Safety with Umbrella Scheme Initiatives

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring women’s safety by implementing six key projects under the Umbrella Scheme for Safety of Women. These initiatives, carried out in collaboration with States and Union Territories (UTs), focus on timely intervention, improved crime investigation, and crime prevention related to offenses against women.

Key Projects Under the Scheme

The government has launched the following projects to enhance women’s safety and crime response efficiency:

• 112 Emergency Response Support System (ERSS): A nationwide emergency response system ensuring prompt action in distress situations.
• Upgradation of Central Forensic Sciences Laboratories: Establishing a National Forensic Data Centre to enhance forensic capabilities.
• Strengthening State Forensic Science Laboratories (FSLs): Expanding DNA analysis and cyber forensic capabilities to aid investigations.
• Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children: Implemented across all States and UTs to curb digital crimes.
• Capacity Building & Training: Specialized training for investigators and prosecutors handling sexual assault cases.
• Women Help Desks & Anti-Human Trafficking Units: Enhancing access to police services and combating human trafficking through dedicated units.

Operational Progress and Impact

The Ministry has made significant strides in improving women’s safety through these initiatives:

• Women Help Desks (WHDs): 14,658 WHDs have been established in police stations, with 13,743 led by women officers.
• Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs): 827 AHTUs have been set up across the country.
• Cyber Crime Prevention Training: Cyber forensic training laboratories have been set up in 33 States/UTs, training 24,624 officials, including police officers, judges, and prosecutors.
• Nirbhaya Fund Initiatives: Projects worth ₹245.29 crore have been sanctioned to enhance DNA and cyber forensic capabilities across 30 States/UTs. A DNA analysis facility has been established in Chandigarh.
• Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kits: 18,020 kits have been distributed, and 34,626 officials have been trained on DNA evidence management.

Enhanced Emergency Response System

The Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) is now fully operational across all 36 States and UTs. The upgraded ERSS 2.0 includes:

• Improved data centers and wider district coverage.
• Increased call-handling capacity and vehicle tracking.
• Disaster recovery facilities at C-DAC centers in Noida and Thiruvananthapuram.
• Integration with Railway Helpline, Women Helpline, Child Helpline, and Disaster Response Services.

Government’s Commitment to Women’s Safety

These initiatives underscore the government’s unwavering focus on enhancing women’s security and empowering law enforcement agencies with advanced resources. The Ministry continues to work with State and District authorities to ensure the effective implementation of these programs, aiming to build a safer environment for women across India.

Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Bandi Sanjay Kumar, emphasized the government’s determination to strengthen legal, forensic, and cyber capabilities in addressing crimes against women. With the expansion of these initiatives, the government aims to create a safer and more responsive system for women’s protection nationwide.