Our Reporter
Dimapur, Aug. 20 (EMN): The 181-Women Helpline Nagaland (181-WHL) received as many as 489 cases in less than five months, between April 1 and August 19 this year.
This was revealed to Eastern Mirror by the Helpline, an emergency response service meant to support women affected by violence both in public and private spheres.
It updated that most of the cases registered during the period were related to Covid-19, which accounted for 464, while six were related to domestic violence and five for assistance. (Refer table for details).
It shared that when clients approach for their service, depending on the nature of their cases, the clients are referred to appropriate agencies and services such as Sakhi-One Stop Centre (OSC), Nagaland State or District Legal Services Authority (NSLSA), ambulance, police and others.
‘While co-ordinating with these agencies and others (when needed), and depending on the needs of the clients, we have assisted our clients in filing an FIR, building a legal case, rescued victims, provided shelter and food, counselling, transportation and more,’ the Helpline informed.
Regarding missing persons and kidnapping cases, it collaboratively worked with agencies from other states and authorities to repatriate them. ‘We also provide information on women-related government schemes and programmes and we have helped clients avail different schemes and programmes which have had a positive impact in their lives,’ the Helpline added.
It was informed that they follow up on their clients even after their cases are successfully closed.
The Helpline has organised a number of campaigns, workshops and awareness programmes with people from different backgrounds and communities since its inception in 2016. ‘We have reached out to a large number of people from various backgrounds and our society is also becoming more aware of the service facility,’ it said.
It shared that it had assisted a number of migrants with transportation to return to their native places during the Covid-induced lockdown and donated essential commodities to needy families with the help of the District Task Force. It went on to inform that it continues to provide counselling to Covid-19 positive patients in collaboration with the department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Nagaland.