Elimination of Violence Against Women

Key Highlights on the Elimination of Violence Against Women in India

Constitutional Framework and Legal Provisions

• National Commission for Women (NCW): Established in January 1992 as a statutory body to monitor and recommend amendments for women’s constitutional and legal rights.
• Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (PWDVA): Defines domestic violence and establishes legal protections for women.
• Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013: Mandates employers to set up Internal Committees for addressing complaints.

Recent Legislative Developments

• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023: Effective from July 1, 2024, replacing the Indian Penal Code (IPC). It introduces severe penalties for sexual offenses, including life imprisonment for rape of minors.

Government Schemes and Initiatives

• Mission Shakti: A comprehensive scheme focusing on women’s safety and empowerment, blending safety (Sambal) and empowerment (Samarthya) components.
• One Stop Centre Scheme: Provides integrated support, including legal and medical aid, to women in distress since April 1, 2015.
• Swadhar Greh Scheme: Offers shelter and rehabilitation for women in vulnerable situations, updated in April 2016.
• Digital Shakti Campaign: Aims to digitally empower and protect women online.

Support Mechanisms

• Women Help Desks (WHDs): 14,658 WHDs operational as of February 2025, simplifying reporting of gender-based violence at police stations.
• SHe-Box Portal: Centralized platform for reporting sexual harassment, ensuring timely responses from Internal and Local Committees.
• 24/7 Emergency Helpline (181): Launched in April 2015 to provide support nationally for women facing violence.

Institutional Mechanisms

• Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs): 773 courts established under the Nirbhaya Fund to expedite trials for rape and POCSO cases, with over 334,213 cases disposed of since inception as of August 2025.

International Context

• International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women: Observed globally on November 25. The 2025 theme focuses on ending digital violence against women and girls.

Technological Innovations

• Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences (ITSSO): A platform that allows real-time tracking of police investigations in sexual assault cases.
• National Database on Sexual Offenders (NDSO): A registry for tracking sexual offenders to assist law enforcement agencies.
• Crime Multi-Agency Centre (Cri-MAC): Launched in March 2020 to facilitate instant sharing of crime-related information among states.

Conclusion

India is actively intensifying efforts to combat gender-based violence through comprehensive policies, schemes, and tech-driven solutions, ensuring a safer and more inclusive environment for women. The combination of legal reforms, institutional support, and digital initiatives reflects the nation’s commitment to uphold women’s rights and dignity both offline and online.