Training for Women Helpline and Sakhi-One Stop Centres functionaries held in Kohima

DIMAPUR — A two-day in-person training for functionaries of the 181-Women Helpline Nagaland and Sakhi-One Stop Centres was held on August 19 and the 20th at the Mission Shakti Office in Kohima.

The training was jointly organised by the Mission Shakti Nagaland; Savitribai Phule National Institute of Women and Child Development (SPNIWCD); Regional Centre, Guwahati; National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore; and Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), a DIPR report stated.

The resource persons included Dr. Swapan Shaw from SPNIWCD, Dr. Chethana Kishore, Afreenbanu A Khadirnavar, and Rugozevou Khate from NIMHANS, and Krishnendra Kumar Barooah from C-DAC.

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The training was aimed at strengthening the capacity and service delivery of the functionaries of the two Mission Shakti centres in providing psychosocial support to women affected by gender-based violence, and technical training for the smooth functioning of the centres.

Tosheli Zhimomi, Director of Social Welfare & Member Secretary of Mission Shakti, in her welcome note, thanked the resource persons for sharing their expertise with the WHL & OSC functionaries. She encouraged participants to make the best use of the training.

Bodeno S. Colo, Additional Secretary of Social Welfare department and Mission Director of Mission Shakti, outlined the way forward, commending the relentless efforts of the One Stop Centres (OSC) and Women Helpline (WHL) in supporting women affected by gender-based violence.

She also highlighted key statistics, noting that from June 2016 to March 2025, the Women Helpline (WHL) handled approximately 3,299 effective calls, while the One Stop Centres (OSC) supported 1,529 cases of gender-based violence.

The 181-Women Helpline (WHL) provides 24 hours toll-free telecom services to women affected by violence and seeking support and information by connecting them with 112-Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) for all emergency services like police/fire/ambulance services, and with One Stop Centres for non-emergency cases.

The WHL also provides information about women related government schemes/programmes/services/ legal support and guidance.

Sakhi One Stop Centres provide integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence and in distress, both in public and private spaces under one roof and facilitates immediate, emergency and non-emergency access to a range of services including medical, legal, temporary shelter, police assistance, psychological and counselling support.

“181-WHL and 1098-Child Helpline (CHL) are integrated and comprise the Women & Child Development (WCD) Control Room. 181-WHL is integrated with 112- Emergency Response Support Services (ERSS) and Sakhi One Stop Centres.

“Women facing violence of any kind can call for help at the toll-free number 181, or 9485239098, or reach out to OSCs set up in 11 districts in the state,” it stated.