NSSWB/SRCW/WHL
Are you a victim of domestic violence, sexual abuse, cyber crimes or any other form of violence? Have you faced any kind of sexual harassment at workplace? Or are you seeking information on Women Empowerment schemes and programmes? Have you had difficulty accessing the appropriate help/ services in such times? DIAL 181 – the Women Helpline (WHL) Nagaland. It is a 24-hour emergency response service exclusively designed to support all women affected by violence both in public and private sphere, through referrals, linking you to the appropriate authorities such as the Sakhi - One Stop Centre, Ambulance/ Hospitals, Police, Legal Services, etc., depending on your need.
We see, we hear and we come across various forms of violence happening against women within or outside our State. Global estimates published by the World Health Organization (WHO) indicat that about 1 in 3 (35%) women worldwide have experienced either physical and or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime. From the National Family Health Survey 4 (2015-16) report for Nagaland, we get an insight that “among women aged 15-49 in Nagaland, 15 percent of them have experienced physical or sexual violence. Among those who experienced physical violence since age 15, the most common perpetrator for ever-married women was their husband (74%). Overall, 13 percent of ever-married women have experienced spousal physical or sexual violence from their current husband or, if not currently married, from their most recent husband. 10 percent have reported spousal emotional violence.”
Of this, only 14 percent of women who have experienced physical or sexual violence by anyone have sought help. About three-fourths of women (74%) have neither sought help nor told anyone about the violence. Women need security. They need assistance. Women need to feel safe in today’s societal life. Indeed! And there is help for every woman who is facing violence. There is help when she needs any kind of assistance.
The Universalization of Women Helpline Scheme (181) Nagaland, along with the Sakhi-One Stop Centre Dimapur, under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, was launched by the Governor of Nagaland on June 23, 2016. The State Resource Centre for Women (SRCW) Nagaland is the implementing agency in the State. Today marks the completion of two years of rendering its services to the women of the State.
The WHL is integrated with the One Stop Centre, situated in Kohima and Dimapur to provide integrated support and assistance to all women affected by violence. Women facing physical, sexual, emotional, psychological and economic abuse, irrespective of age, class, caste, education status, marital status, race and culture are facilitated with support and redressal, and they are provided with specialized services. The Women Helpline also provides information about appropriate support services, and women centric government schemes and programmes available to women.
Since its inception, the Helpline has been providing emergency response service to a number of women who have faced violence. A survivor of domestic violence who had suffered for several years called 181 Women Helpline for help and assistance; her case was resolved and now her normal life with her family has been restored. The survivor has conveyed a message to all women, “With the existence of 181 Women Helpline Nagaland, women can now raise their voice”. She expressed her gratitude to the 181 for being there for her when there was no one to help and support her, and for the timely and competent services she received.
A survivor of Cyber crime commented, “I was a victim of cyber crime and had silently suffered for days and nights. I came to know about the Women Helpline number ‘181’ through my sister. I dialed the number, which is toll free. They have helped me report the case to the Cyber Crime Police Station and file an FIR, and through them the culprit was caught. I am grateful to the team for not only helping me but they have also helped me come out from trauma through their professional counseling. To end, I would only say, Help is just a call away.”
People from all walks of life have been calling the Women Helpline and availing information on various women centric Government Schemes and Programmes available in the State. Globally, women and girls face numerous challenges in reporting crimes and redressing grievances. So in order to best facilitate women who are victims of violence, the Women Helpline has held a series of Consultative meetings with its stakeholders.
Here are a few excerpts from some of the Line Departments, who have shared their experiences with the Women Helpline 181 over the past couple of years:
To begin with, Dr. Akuo Sorhie, the Joint Director of National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme (NIDDCP), Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Nagaland observed: “Team 181 has been generating awareness campaigns throughout the State, informing and encouraging women to utilize their services in case of need. The 181 is a helpline to let women reach out in times of distress and those suffering from domestic violence. The helpline number sometimes can be misused as we the Health Department also faced the same through prank calls. However, I would encourage the WHL to take it forward to help women and girls and let them know that help is only a call away. Spread the message that there is help on the other side and that it is safe to share their grievances because confidentiality is maintained.”
Dr. Along Pongen, the psychiatrist of State Mental Health Institute, Kohima, Nagaland commented that “181 Women Helpline is a very good initiative of the Government. The 181 Women Helpline Nagaland is pro-active and a good support system to women in distress. We have good experience working with the Women Helpline especially in cases of abandoned patients. Earlier we had so many problems in dealing with patients who were abandoned and had no social/ family support but now with the Women Helpline 181 functioning in our State, I can say that there is an agency or somebody to rely on and who can help. One good service of the helpline is that it gives better treatment and follows up with the cases till the end or till the patient is rehabilitated. In conclusion, I would like to say that I am grateful for the kind of services 181 provides, and also encourage them to bring more patients especially those who are ignorant of the services of the hospital so that they can avail its service.”
In the words of Rajesh Soundararajan, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Kohima, “The Women Helpline Nagaland has been doing an exemplary work in a highly organised, systematic and professional way, thus helping the women in need of assistance and help. Also their endeavour is to focus on sustainable services and setting a benchmark for others to follow.”
Michael Yhome, the Officer in Charge of Cyber Crime Police Station, PHQ, had this to say: “Since the launch of the 181 Women Helpline, we have been receiving a lot of cyber crime cases from the helpline. Generally, when women come to us, they are not so open and they feel uncomfortable in giving details/information of the case. However, with the assistance of 181 through counseling and psycho-social support women- victims are now more willing to speak out their grievances and assert their rights. I would say that the 181 Women Helpline not only supports women in times of distress but also empowers her to justice.”
And last but not least, Daisy Mezhur, the Mission Director of the State Resource Centre for Women affirmed: "I proudly stand to salute the dedicated 181 Team who have walked the extra mile to make things happen with pride, despite the odds. And it is natural to find in this ambience, that any woman calling in distress will find someone who will listen and support without judging.”
The Women Helpline 181 Nagaland is therefore, a gift to all women of Nagaland affected by violence. And with such a Helpline functioning in the state, it is hoped that the society would together ensure a crime-free State for not only women and girls, but for all to live in.
