BUDGAM: Secretary Rural Development Department Sheetal Nanda today inaugurated one stop centre, popularly known as SAKHI, a Centrally Sponsored initiative for setting up of One Stop Centre, a sub – scheme of Umbrella Scheme for National Mission for Empowerment of women. Secretary RDD was accompanied by DDC Budagm Shahbaz Ahmed Mirza, SP Budgam Amod Ashok Nagpure, GM DIC Budgam, Sheikh Mohammad Ashraf, Dr. madhvi senior consultant MWCD and other concerned. The aim of the Centre established in budgam is to provide integrated support and assistance under one roof to women affected by violence, both in private and public spaces, within family, community and workplace. Speaking on the occasion, Secretary RDD said, women facing physical, sexual, emotional, psychological and economic abuse, irrespective of age, class, caste, education status, marital status, race and culture will be facilitated with support and redressal. During the inaugural ceremony, District Programme officer ICDS Mohammed Ashraf briefed the chair that women facing any kind of violence due to attempted sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, trafficking, honour related crimes, acid attacks or witch-hunting who have reached out or been referred to the OSC will be provided with specialized services. DDC Budgam in his remarks said that the Goal and objectives of the OSC is to provide integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence, both in private and public spaces under one roof. OSC in Budgam shall facilitate immediate, emergency and non – emergency access to a range of services including medical, legal, psychological and counselling support under one roof to fight against any forms of violence against women. The DDC added. The OSC will support all women including girls below 18 years of age affected by violence, irrespective of caste, class, religion, region, sexual orientation or marital status. DPO ICDS apprised the meeting that Centre will be integrated with a Women Helpline to facilitate access to services like, Emergency Response and Rescue Services – OSC will provide rescue and referral services to the women affected by violence. Besides, Medical assistance to Women affected by violence would be referred to the nearest Hospital for medical aid/examination. DPO ICDS Budgam stressed that there shall be Assistance to women in lodging FIR, Psycho – social support/ counselling – A skilled counsellor providing psycho – social counselling services would be available on call. This counselling process will give women confidence and support to address violence or to seek justice. The DDC Budgam assured that any woman affected by violence can access OSC through Women Helpline a dedicated control room which shall be set up in District Budgam, integrated with police, ambulance and other emergency response helplines.
