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International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (November 25) (English Text)

November 25 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. This day, chosen by the United Nations General Assembly in 2000, marks the beginning of global activism against gender-based violence for 16 days, from November 25 to December 10. For the year 2025, the theme is "Uniting to end digital violence against all women and girls." The following are the steps taken by the Government of India in this direction:

2025-11-26 02:50:33 | Admin

Government-supported schemes such as Mission Shakti, One Stop Centres, Women's Helpline (181), and Swadhar Greh provide integrated support for women in distress.
Technology-enabled platforms such as She-Box and Women's Help Desk improve reporting and timely access to justice.

National Commission for Women (NCW)
This Commission was established as a statutory body by the Government of India on January 31, 1992. Its objective was to examine and monitor all constitutional and legal safeguards for women, recommend amendments to existing laws where necessary, and investigate complaints related to deprivation of women's rights.

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023:
Coming into effect on July 1, 2024, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 replaces the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and provides for stricter penalties for sexual offenses, including life imprisonment for rape of minors under 18 years of age. It expands the definitions of sexual offenses and mandates audio-video recording of victim statements.

The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (PWDVA):
In India, domestic violence is governed by this Act. It defines "aggrieved person" as any woman who is or has been in a domestic relationship with the defendant.
Domestic relationship means that they live or have lived together in a household, and they may be related by marriage, adoption, or familial ties. Section 3 defines it as any act that harms a woman's physical or mental health or endangers her safety, including harassment for unlawful demands. The term "domestic violence" includes:

  • Physical abuse (harm, injury, or threat)
  • Sexual abuse (any non-consensual or degrading sexual act)
  • Verbal/emotional abuse (insults, threats, humiliation)
  • Economic abuse (withholding money, denying access to resources, disposing of property)
  • Dowry-related harassment

The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013:
This Act applies to all women, regardless of their age, job type, or work sector. It mandates employers to form an Internal Committee (IC) at workplaces with more than 10 employees, while the appropriate government establishes Local Committees (LCs) for cases against smaller organizations or employers. The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) oversees implementation and awareness. To centralize complaint data, the MWCD launched SHe-Box, a portal for reporting and tracking cases, with inquiries under the Act required to be completed within 90 days.

Mission Shakti
Mission Shakti is an integrated, mission-mode scheme designed to enhance the safety, security, and empowerment of women. It implements the government's vision of "women-led development" by addressing challenges faced by women throughout their life cycle, promoting coordination across ministries, and encouraging citizen ownership to establish women as equal contributors to nation-building.

Shelter Homes under the "Swadhar Greh Scheme"
The Ministry of Women and Child Development has been implementing the revised Swadhar Greh Scheme since April 1, 2016. This scheme addresses the primary needs of women and girls who are homeless due to adverse circumstances such as family disputes, crime, violence, mental stress, and social exclusion, as well as women and girls at risk of being forced into prostitution. Through the provision of shelter, food, clothing, counseling, training, clinical and legal assistance, the scheme aims to rehabilitate such women from economically and emotionally difficult situations.

One Stop Centers
The Ministry of Women and Child Development has also implemented the One Stop Center (OSC) Scheme since April 1, 2015. These OSCs provide police, medical, and legal assistance, as well as counseling, psychosocial counseling, and temporary support to women affected or victimized by violence. They provide a range of integrated services under one roof, including shelter. The establishment of OSCs at the district level since 2015 has provided a dedicated platform for timely support and assistance to women facing violence and distress, filling a previously existing gap.

Stree Manoraksha
The Ministry of Women and Child Development has engaged the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru to provide basic and advanced training to One Stop Centre staff across the country under the 'Stree Manoraksha' project to address the psychosocial and mental health care needs of women facing violence and distress.

Digital Shakti Abhiyan
The National Commission for Women is implementing the Digital Shakti Abhiyan, a pan-India project aimed at empowering and empowering women and girls digitally. In line with its commitment to creating a safe online space, Digital Shakti provides women with the necessary skills and awareness to protect themselves and take action against illegal or inappropriate activities online.

National Domestic Violence Helpline
The Government of India has established a National Domestic Violence Helpline to protect women from any form of violence or distress. The universalization of the Women Helpline (WHL) scheme was launched on April 1, 2015, with the aim of providing 24x7 emergency and non-emergency assistance to women facing gender-based violence. The scheme provides nationwide assistance through a toll-free number, 181, which connects women to services through a referral system.

Institutional Mechanisms
Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs): These courts, operated under the Nirbhaya Fund, expedite the trial of rape and POCSO (PoCSO) cases. As of August 2025, 773 FTSCs (including 400 special e-POCSO courts) are operational in 29 states/union territories, disposing of over 334,213 cases since inception.
Women Help Desks (WHDs): Established in police stations to facilitate sensitive reporting of gender-based violence. As of February 2025, 14,658 WHDs are operational across the country, providing access to FIRs, counseling, and legal aid. Expanding reach.
She-Box Portal: The Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched the She-Box Portal. This is an integrated online platform that is fully aligned with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act). 

Key Pointers:
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, effective July 1, 2024, replaced the IPC. 
"The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005" came into force on 26 October 2006 and for the first time defined domestic violence.
The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, came into force on 9 December 2013. This statute superseded the Vishaka Guidelines for Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) introduced by the Supreme Court (SC) of India. 
Mission Shakti' was launched during the 15th Finance Commission period 2021-22 to 2025-26.
Swadhar Greh Scheme is effective from 01.01.2016.
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