Karwar: Uttara Kannada Deputy Commissioner (DC) K. Lakshmipriya has appealed to women to make use of the free women’s helpline 181 to seek immediate assistance in cases of domestic violence, sexual harassment, or any form of abuse.
She was speaking on Friday while chairing the progress review meeting of the Women and Child Development Department at the DC office hall.
The DC informed that 74 cases have been registered till September this financial year at the Sakhi One-Stop Centre, where affected women received legal aid, medical assistance, police support and counselling.
Under the Santhwana Scheme, NGOs have extended necessary support to distressed women. The centre has received 395 complaints, all of which have been resolved. She directed the staff to respond promptly and ensure legal action against offenders.
Lakshmipriya stressed that all village-level committees formed to curb women and child trafficking must function responsibly. She instructed officials to intensify public awareness programmes in urban and rural areas to prevent child marriage and POCSO violations. A total of 17 POCSO cases have been reported this year, she added.
The DC emphasized achieving 100% health screening of Anganwadi and schoolchildren. Severely malnourished children must receive special attention and timely treatment. Anganwadi centres must provide nutritious food as prescribed and engage children in curricular and extracurricular activities to aid holistic development. Officials were asked to conduct surprise visits to Anganwadis.
She also directed that all eligible women enrolled under the Gruha Lakshmi Scheme should receive the scheme benefits. Complaints about non-receipt of funds due to technical or other issues must be resolved promptly.
Awareness must be created about financial assistance available from the Women Development Corporation for sexual minorities, HIV-positive women, and women from SC/ST and other vulnerable communities, she added.
Chief Executive Officer of Zilla Panchayat Dr. Dileesh Shashi, probationary IAS officer Zufishan Haq, Planning Officer Somashekhar Mesta, District RCH Officer Dr. Nataraj, Deputy Director Krishnappa and ICDS officials from all taluks were present.