In News:

• November 25, observed as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (Nov 25–Dec 10), as recognised by the United Nations General Assembly.
• The 2025 global theme — “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls” — highlights rising threats such as cyberstalking, online harassment, doxxing, deepfakes, and coordinated misogynistic attacks.
• India has adopted a multi-pronged approach combining legal reforms, institutional mechanisms, digital tools, and welfare schemes to address both offline and online violence against women.

Institutional Framework

National Commission for Women (NCW)

• Established in January 1992 as a statutory body.
• Mandate: Review legal safeguards, recommend law reforms, and address complaints of women’s rights violations.
• Enables online complaint registration and runs 24×7 domestic violence support helplines, integrated with police, hospitals, legal services, and counsellors through Digital India platforms.

Key Legal Provisions

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

• In force from 1 July 2024, replacing the IPC.
• Introduces stricter punishments for sexual offences, including life imprisonment for rape of minors.
• Expands definitions of sexual crimes, mandates audio-video recording of victim statements, and prioritises fast-track trials for crimes against women and children.

Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (PWDVA)

• Covers physical, sexual, verbal/emotional, and economic abuse, including dowry-related harassment.
• Applies to women in domestic relationships (by marriage, adoption, or family ties).

Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013 (POSH Act)

• Applicable to all women, irrespective of age or employment type.
• Mandates Internal Committees (ICs) and Local Committees (LCs).
• Complaints to be resolved within 90 days.

Mission Shakti: Umbrella Scheme

Implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Mission Shakti integrates:

• Sambal – safety and security
• Samarthya – empowerment and rehabilitation

Major Components

• One Stop Centres (OSCs): District-level centres providing medical, legal, police, counselling, and temporary shelter services under one roof (operational since 2015).
• Swadhar Greh: Shelter, food, legal aid, counselling, and rehabilitation for women in difficult circumstances.
• Stree Manoraksha: Mental health and psycho-social training for OSC staff, implemented with National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS).

Helplines and Emergency Support

• Women Helpline (181): 24×7 national support for women in distress.
• Emergency Response Support System (112): Pan-India emergency number for police, fire, and ambulance services (Nirbhaya Fund).
• NCW-supported digital and WhatsApp-based emergency reporting mechanisms.

Technology-Enabled Safety Measures

Digital Shakti Campaign

• Implemented by NCW to digitally empower women and girls, promoting safe online behaviour and awareness against cybercrimes.

SHe-Box Portal

• Centralised online platform for workplace sexual harassment complaints under the POSH Act.
• Automatically routes complaints to the relevant IC/LC and enables real-time tracking.

Other Key Digital Initiatives

• Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences (ITSSO): Monitors police investigations to ensure timely completion.
• National Database on Sexual Offenders (NDSO): Registry of convicted sexual offenders.
• Crime Multi-Agency Centre (Cri-MAC): Enables real-time sharing of information on heinous crimes across States/UTs.

Judicial & Policing Mechanisms

• Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs): Established under the Nirbhaya Fund for speedy trials of rape and POCSO cases.
• Women Help Desks (WHDs): Set up in police stations to ensure gender-sensitive reporting, counselling, and legal aid.