Sakhi Centres Reshape the Lives of Punjab's Vulnerable Women
CHANDIGARH: In a remarkable display of resilience, an 18-year-old girl from Fatehgarh Sahib recently found closure with the help of a Sakhi One Stop Centre (OSC) in Chandigarh. The young woman had to endure unimaginable abuse at the hands of her father-in-law to whom she was married just after turning 18. Her harrowing experience not only tested her limits but also highlighted the transformative power of these crucial centres.
According to state-level officials, more than 20,000 women have been served across Punjab through Sakhi One Stop Centres since their inception in 2017. These centres are now witnessing an increasing number of women and adolescent girls seeking help, a reflection of growing awareness about their invaluable services.
"Women who are hesitant or fearful about approaching police stations can easily access our centres located in hospitals," said Dr. Rajvir Singh, State Coordinator. "It is the mission of these centres to provide refuge to women and girls facing unimaginable abuse."
The centres offer immediate medical aid, legal assistance, police support, and psychological counseling under one roof, serving as a sanctuary for women seeking justice.
Social Secretary, Women and Child Development Cabinet Minister Baljit Kaur stated, "Our efforts must make sure that women and teenage girls in distress have safe places where they can be assured of help without judgment or fear."
Currently, all 23 districts of Punjab have SACs operational, with more than half the centres already standing within civil hospitals. However, the government is constructing separate buildings to accommodate their functioning.
With special camps set up across various departments, OSCs provide essential information about key government schemes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana and nutrition programs.
A significant strength of these centres lies in their ability to act swiftly. Combining medical aid, legal assistance, police support, and psychological counseling under one roof, they eliminate the need to navigate multiple agencies and often result in successful resolutions through counselling.
Moreover, beyond direct service delivery, centres promote broader awareness of women's rights and empower women to speak against abuse through unique outreach programs, camps and collaboration with other government agencies. This integration contributes significantly towards larger cultural shifts toward gender equity and justice.
For many women like the 18-year-old girl from Fatehgarh Sahib, Sakhi One Stop Centres symbolize hope, safety, and a path to liberation. Punjab's commitment to expanding and enhancing these facilities is reiterating that every woman deserves a life with dignity.
As Punjab continues to strengthen its support systems for women, the SACs prove at the forefront of this mission, giving solace to countless individuals who face unimaginable adversity in their daily lives.
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