SDG Goal wise programs of India – Part 18

SDG Goal wise programs of India – Part 18

(இதன் தமிழ் வடிவத்திற்கு இங்கே சொடுக்கவும்)

Women Helpline Scheme 2016

Launched Year:

• 1st April, 2015.

Ministry or Nodal Agency:

• Ministry of Women and Child Development.

Objectives:

• To provide a toll-free 24-hour telecom service to women affected by violence.
• To facilitate both crisis and non-crisis interventions by connecting women with relevant authorities (e.g., police, hospitals, ambulance services, District Legal Service Authority (DLSA), Protection Officer (PO), One Stop Centre (OSC)).
• To offer information on available government schemes and programs that are relevant to women experiencing violence or distress, specifically tailored to their local area or employment situation.

Beneficiaries:

• Women and girls facing any form of violence (domestic violence, sexual violence, etc.) or in distress.
• Women seeking information about women-related government schemes and programs.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Any woman or girl experiencing violence in public or private life or seeking information about women’s welfare schemes or programs.

Benefits:

• Toll-free 24-hour telecom service: Women can access support and information through the short code 181.
• Integration with Emergency Response Support System (ERSS): This ensures immediate access to emergency services (police, fire, ambulance, etc.).
• Referral services: Women are connected with One Stop Centres, hospitals, legal services, and other statutory officers like Dowry Prohibition Officers, Child Marriage Prevention Officers, etc.

• Counselling and rescue services: Women in distress can access counselling and even a rescue van service.
• Access to government schemes: Information about welfare programs and support schemes is provided to women across India.

Additional Information:

• Women Helpline Integration: The scheme aims to eventually integrate all emergency and non-emergency services into a single number system: 112 for emergencies and 181 for non-emergency support and information.
• Operational in 34 States and UTs: The Women Helpline Scheme operates nationwide, assisting over 68.7 million calls since its inception.

Emergency Response Support System (ERSS)

• A nationwide initiative under the Nirbhaya Fund, offering a single, internationally recognized emergency number, 112, to address police, fire, and ambulance services.
• It has been operational in 35 States/UTs.

Other Helplines for Domestic Violence:

• National Commission for Women (NCW) Helpline: The NCW launched 7827170170 in 2020-21 to report domestic violence and offer support through a 24x7 referral service.

• WhatsApp Emergency Number: During the pandemic, 7217735372 was launched to assist women in domestic violence situations.

One Stop Centre Scheme

Launched Year:

• 2015.

Ministry or Nodal Agency:

• Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD).

Objectives:

• To provide integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence in both private and public spaces.
• To offer emergency and non-emergency access to a wide range of services such as medical, legal, psychological, and counselling support under one roof.
• To combat all forms of violence against women, including domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, and other crimes such as acid attacks and honor-based violence.

Beneficiaries:

• Women of all ages, including girls under the age of 18, affected by violence.
• Women irrespective of their caste, class, religion, region, sexual orientation, or marital status.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Women and girls who are victims of any form of violence (physical, sexual, emotional, economic, psychological) including sexual harassment, domestic violence, trafficking, acid attacks and honor-based crimes.
• For girls under 18, the OSC works with authorities under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.

Benefits:

• Rescue Services and Emergency Assistance: Women can be rescued from dangerous situations and referred to the nearest health facility.
• Medical Assistance: Medical examinations as per guidelines provided by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Legal Assistance: Support for filing FIRs and counselling for legal processes, with access to empanelled lawyers.
• Psycho-social Support: Professional counselling and psychological services to help women cope with trauma.
• Shelter: Temporary refuge for up to five days for distressed women and their children.
• Video Conferencing Facility: To facilitate court proceedings and the recording of testimonies without the need for the woman to appear physically.

Additional Information:

• The scheme is funded through the Nirbhaya Fund, which was established following the 2012 Delhi gang rape incident.
• Central Government provides 100% financial assistance under the scheme.
• Over 700 districts in India have established One Stop Centres (OSCs).
• The scheme aims to be a comprehensive support system for women facing violence, offering them immediate help and a structured approach to seek justice and rehabilitation.

Goal 06: Clean water and sanitation

Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)

Launched Year:

• October 2, 2014.

Ministry or Nodal Agency:

• Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban): Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
• Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin): Ministry of Jal Shakti.

Objectives:

• To accelerate efforts to achieve universal sanitation coverage and focus on sanitation.
• Improve cleanliness in both rural and urban areas and eliminate open defecation.
• Promote behavioural changes regarding sanitation practices.
• Ensure waste management, including solid and liquid waste, and transform all areas into Open Defecation Free (ODF) zones.
• Provide sanitation facilities in rural and urban areas through different sub-missions.

Beneficiaries:

• Rural and urban populations, particularly those in households below poverty line (BPL), women-headed households, marginalized communities, and vulnerable groups.
• Students, women, and sanitation workers are also key beneficiaries.
• All residents in rural and urban areas who face sanitation challenges.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Beneficiaries in rural areas include Below Poverty Line (BPL) households and Above Poverty Line (APL) households belonging to marginalized sections (SC/ST, landless, small farmers, etc.).
• For urban areas, the focus is on making cities garbage-free, managing waste, and encouraging behavioural changes.
• Women-headed households, the elderly, and physically disabled are prioritized for sanitation assistance.

Benefits:

• Health Improvement: Reduced waterborne diseases, saving 60,000–70,000 infant lives annually, and 300,000 fewer diarrheal deaths.
• Economic Savings: Households save around ₹50,000 yearly on health-related costs due to improved sanitation.
• Environmental Impact: Reduced groundwater contamination, improved waste management, and safer living conditions.
• Employment: Approximately 1.25 crore people employed in sanitation-related tasks.
• Educational Benefits: Improved WASH facilities, leading to better school attendance, especially among girls.

Additional Information:

• Key Initiatives: Swachh Bharat Kosh, Swachh Survekshan, Swachh Vidyalaya Abhiyan, and awareness campaigns like Swachhata Hi Seva.

Ongoing Phases:

• SBM (Urban) 2.0: Focus on making cities garbage-free and improving wastewater management, with a budget of ₹1.41 lakh crore (2021–2026).
• SBM (Gramin) Phase II: Focus on sustaining ODF status and improving Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM), with a budget of ₹1,40,881 crores (2020–2025).
• The mission also includes Swachh Vidyalaya Abhiyan for sanitation in schools and aims for 100% toilet coverage.

Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)

Launched Year:

• August 2019.

Ministry or Nodal Agency:

• Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation under the Jal Shakti Ministry.

Objectives:

• To provide safe and adequate drinking water through Individual Household Tap Connections (FHTC) to all rural households by 2024.
• To ensure 55 Liters of water per person per day for every household, especially in villages facing water scarcity.
• To promote a community approach to water management.
• To improve water conservation, greywater treatment, rainwater harvesting, and groundwater recharge.
• To create a sustainable water supply system in rural areas through local infrastructure.

Beneficiaries:

• Rural households across India.
• Special focus on regions with water scarcity.
• Communities through Paani Samitis (village water committees), which include 50% women members and representatives from Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Anganwadi teachers, and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs).

Eligibility Criteria:

• All rural households are eligible.
• Priority is given to areas with low water access, water scarcity, or waterborne diseases.

Benefits:

• Access to Safe Drinking Water: Every rural household will have access to piped water, thus eliminating the need for carrying water from distant sources.
• Water Quality Monitoring: Ensures water quality testing and safe drinking water in rural areas.
• Water Conservation: Promotes measures like rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and efficient use of water.
• Health and Hygiene: Improved access to clean drinking water leads to better health outcomes by reducing waterborne diseases.
• Economic Empowerment: Reduces time spent by women and children collecting water, allowing for better educational and economic opportunities.
• Community Involvement: Paani Samitis encourage community participation and ownership in managing and maintaining water systems.
• Convergence with Other Schemes: The mission converges with other government schemes for improved water management and sustainable development.

Additional Information:

• The mission has been instrumental in achieving 100% coverage of piped water supply in several states like Gujarat, Telangana, Goa, Haryana, and Punjab, along with Union Territories such as Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Puducherry.
• Himachal Pradesh and Bihar are on track to achieve near-total coverage soon.
• The mission emphasizes the creation of local infrastructure to ensure the sustainability of water sources, including greywater reuse for agriculture and other community needs.
• Village Action Plans prepared by Gram Sabhas are key to addressing local water needs and implementing solutions effectively.

Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban):

• In the 2021-22 Budget, Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban) was announced to provide universal coverage of water supply through functional taps in all urban areas, in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 6.
• It complements the rural mission by aiming to improve urban water supply and rejuvenate water bodies.

Implementation:

• Paani Samitis are responsible for planning, implementing, operating, and maintaining village water supply systems.
• The mission operates in partnership with states, where the planning, approval, and implementation of water supply schemes are managed by State/UT Governments with Central Government support.

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