Union Cabinet approves proposal for Safety of Women

     New Delhi, February 21, 2024: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today approved a proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs of continuation of implementation of Umbrella Scheme on ‘Safety of Women’ at a total cost of Rs 1179.72 crore during the period from 2021-22 to 2025-26.

    Out of the total project outlay of Rs 1179.72 crore, a total of Rs 885.49 crore will be provided by MHA from its own budget and Rs 294.23 crore will be funded from Nirbhaya Fund.

     Safety of Women in a country is an outcome of several factors like stringent deterrence through strict laws, effective delivery of justice, redressal of complaints in a timely manner and easily accessible institutional support structures to the victims, official sources said. Stringent deterrence in matters related to offences against women was provided through amendments in the Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code and the Indian Evidence Act, they added.

     In its efforts towards Women Safety, Government of India in collaboration with States and Union Territories has launched several projects. The objectives of these projects include strengthening mechanisms in States/Union Territories for ensuring timely intervention and investigation in case of crime against women and higher efficiency in investigation and crime prevention in such matters, the sources said.

     The Government of India has proposed to continue the following projects under the Umbrella Scheme for “Safety of Women”:

1 – 112 Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) 2.0;

2 – Upgradation of Central Forensic Sciences laboratories, including setting up of National Forensic Data Centre;

3 – Strengthening of DNA Analysis, Cyber Forensic capacities in State Forensic Science Laboratories (FSLs);

4 – Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children;

5 – Capacity building and training of investigators and prosecutors in handling sexual assault cases against women and children; and

6 – Women Help Desk & Anti-human Trafficking Units.