Major push for women and children’s safety

Haryana Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Sumita Misra, has called for intensified efforts across all departments and field offices to raise awareness about key women and child welfare schemes implemented by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

As part of the drive, the state government is vigorously promoting the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat campaign to eliminate child marriage. Portals have been operationalised for complaint registration and monitoring, making reporting easier and more transparent. At workplaces, the Sexual Harassment Electronic Box (SHe-Box) portal (https://shebox.wcd.gov.in/) offers a confidential channel for women to lodge complaints.

The initiatives are critical for ensuring the safety, security, and empowerment of women and children across the state. Misra instructed that officers at both district and state levels must actively highlight the programmes through awareness campaigns, community outreach, seminars, and public events to maximise visibility and impact.

To strengthen implementation, the government has appointed District Protection Officers (DPOs) in 33 Mahila Thanas across Haryana, with each district having a DPO.

Central to the campaign are the One-Stop Centres (OSCs), which provide integrated services for women facing violence or distress. From medical aid and legal assistance to temporary shelter and psychosocial counselling, OSCs offer comprehensive support under one roof. Complementing these are the Women Helpline (181) and Child Helpline (1098), now linked to the national Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112).