Measures being taken by the State government to ensure Safety and Security of Women and Children in Andhra Pradesh

Department of Women Development and Child Welfare, A.P.

Measures being taken by the State government to ensure Safety and

Security of Women and Children in Andhra Pradesh

The Government of Andhra Pradesh is taking the following steps to promote the Safety of women.

I. Implementation of DV Act-2005:

·          The Government of India has enacted the “Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act ’2005 with effect from 26.10.2006 which offers various reliefs to victims of Domestic Violence like Protection Orders, Residence Order, Maintenance Order and Custody of Children.

·         The Govt., of Andhra Pradesh took a proactive role to facilitate implementation of the act in a true spirit, by designating 104 Protection Officers (i.e., 23 Project Directors of WDCW Dept., and 81 RDOs), 72 Service Providers and putting in place DV cells in 23 districts with necessary staff to offer counseling and assistance to women who approach these units. Annually Rs.2.34 crores is being spent by the State Government to facilitate proper implementation of the act.

·         So far, about 23,040 petitions have been received of which about 49% cases are settled through counseling. DIRs have been filed in 12,620 cases, related to which interim orders and final orders have been issued in 967 and 3283 cases respectively.,

II. Implementation of Dowry Prohibition Act.1961:

·         The GOI enacted the “Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961” with a view to discourage the traditional system of giving Dowry which is the root cause for victimization of women.

·          As per the provisions under Central Act, the GOAP vide G.O.Ms.No.72, Dt:17-11-1998 have framed Rules for implementing of Dowry Prohibition Act .

·          Government of A.P. has appointed Revenue Divisional Officers/Sub Collectors as Dowry Prohibition Officers exercising the powers conferred by section 10 of the DPA Act 61.

·         The Government provides financial relief in “DOWRY DEATH CASES” to an extent of Rs.50,000/- . Out of this amount Rs.25,000/- is payable to the parents of victim to make legal fight and an amount of Rs.25,000/- is provided to the Children of deceased if the child is not eligible for coverage under “Girl Child Protection Scheme”. The children would be allowed for admission in residential schools run by the Departments of Social Welfare and Women Development and Child Welfare.

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·         So far, an amount of Rs.59.75 lakhs Financial Relief sanctioned to the 263 Dowry death cases since 2003.

III. Prevention of Sexual Harassment of the women at work places:

·         As per the guidelines issued by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, Government of Andhra Pradesh has issued Orders vide G.O. Ms. No. 27, WD, CW & DW, Dt.21.4.99 for constitution of complaint committees in each Government Department to prevent sexual harassment of the working women.

·         As per the orders of General Administration (Service Welfare) Dept vide Cir. Memo No.11124/SWI/A2/2003-8, Dt.25-8-08 and G.O.Ms.No.391, GA&SW Dept on 25-8- 2005 the Home Department., Andhra Pradesh is indentified as the Nodal Agency.

·         The GOI recently published a notification by Ministry of Low and Justice “The Sexual Harassment of Women at Work Place (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 and Home Department of A.P. Govt. has communicated guidelines and Sections for Internal, Local Complaints Committees and Complaint of Sexual harassment. If the employer fails to constitute the committee and abets contravention of other provisions of this Act or any rules shall be punished with fine which may extended to fifty thousand rupees.

IV. National Mission for Empowerment of Women:

·         The GOI has introduced “National Mission for Empowerment of Women”. Under this vide G.O.Ms.No.32, WCD&SC(JJ) Dept., Dt.09.11.2012,the Government of Andhra Pradesh has issued notification constituting “State Mission Authority” under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister.

·          Establishment of “State Resource Center for Women” to take up the activities for Socio Economic Empowerment is completed.

·          Medak District has been identified for taking up pilot convergence project to address social issues under NMEW. An amount of Rs.10.00 lakhs as 1st installment was Released by the GOI for implementation of PSK model in Medak District.

V. Relief to victims of Atrocities:

·          Vide G.O.Ms.No.28, Dt:04.07.2003 &13.06.2011 and vide G.O. Ms. No.13 Dt.21-04-

2006 of the WD.CW & DW (WP) Dept has been providing financial relief to  the      victims of atrocities i.e., rape, Gang Rape, Dowry Death, Kidnap, Trafficking, Acid Attack, Hacked or throat Slit etc. Further, the Government also issued orders for free Treatment to Acid Attack victims under Arogyasree.

·          Rs.20,000/- immediate financial relief is being paid to rescued victims of trafficking as per G.O.Ms.No.28, WCD&SC( WP)Dept., Dt.15.10.2012.

·         •From the year 2003-04 to 2013-14 (up to August 2013) an amount of Rs.4.47 Crores has been provided as relief to 2154 atrocity victims.

Other Support Services to the victims of atrocities:

·         Vide G.O.Ms.No.1, Dt.03.01.2003 a comprehensive policy for combating trafficking of Women and children for commercial sexual exploitation was issued.

·         The G.O provides for constitution of committees at the District Level to prevent

trafficking and to promote rehabilitation of victims of human trafficking.

·         21 Swadhar Homes are functioning in the districts to care for women in difficult

circumstances.

·         Eight Ujjawala Homes are functioning in the State for prevention of trafficking, rescue, rehabilitation and repatriation of rescued victims of trafficking.

·         In the past six years i.e., 2008- 2013, 7080 rescued victims of Trafficking or women in difficult circumstances have been admitted in the 21 Swadhar Homes and 8 Ujjawala Homes in the State.

·         The Government of Andhra Pradesh has reserved 70% of seats in “Women’s Technical Training Institute”, Hyderabad to orphans and semi orphans residing in the homes of WD&CW Dept., and so far 528 girls have been admitted in women’s Technical Training Institute since 2013-14.

VI. Measures taken to address Trafficking of women and girls for sexual Exploitation

A. Prevention:

·         Govt. have issued a comprehensive policy and action plan covering various aspects

such as Prevention, Rescue, Rehabilitation and Reintegration of victims of    
           trafficking,  vide G.O.Ms.No.1, dt. 03.01.2003.

·         At State Level, State Level Co-ordination Committee under the chairmanship of

Chief Secretary to Government and District Level Co-ordination Committees under

the Chairmanship of Dist. Collectors have been constituted for review and   
            strengthen the rescue and rehabilitation measures to address trafficking.

·         The Regional Network on Anti-Trafficking was constituted in Rayalaseema Region

during 2004 with District officials of Kadapa, Anantapur, and Chittoor districts with a common action plan to prevent trafficking and evolve a standardized approach and strategy to combat trafficking of women and girls. The same initiative has been replicated in Guntur and Prakasam Districts of Coastal Region during 2005.

·         With a view to provide holistic care for rescued victims, Government of            Andhra Pradesh has issued orders vide G.O.Ms.No.16, Dt. 24.04.2010 of WD,CW &

DW(WP) Dept. prescribing minimum standards of care for institutions and service

providers who are providing care, protection and rehabilitation facilities to rescued

victims of commercial sexual exploitation/sex trafficking.

·         To maintain the data of trafficked victims and sources & destination of trafficking,

Department of WD & CW A.P, has evolved a new software “TAPAS” (Trafficking

Analysis and Prevention Aiding System). Testing of software is under process. The

Software will help in analysis of data for better planning for prevention, rescue of

victims of trafficking.

·         31,465 Community Vigilant Groups (CVGs) and 35,012 Adolescent Girls Groups

           (AGGs)/ Balika Mandals have been constituted to prevent trafficking.

·         12,408 adolescent girls have been trained as “Social Change Agents” to facilitate

            Peer education at village level.

·         26,311 Kishori Samooh are formed with 20-25 AGs for each Samooh under Sabala

           Scheme. These girls have been trained on all the social problems faced by the               
           women and Children.

·         As a critical preventive measure orders have been issued to use the funds

sanctioned under Kishori Shakti Yojana (KSY) on priority for training adolescent

girls from identified vulnerable pockets of trafficking. Since 2010-11 till date 31,048

AGs have received vocational training under KSY utilizing an amount of Rs.917.40

lakhs and 25% of the AGs trained under KSY are from the identified vulnerable

areas.

·         GOAP vide G.O.Ms.No.14 Dt. 23.05.2008 of WD,CW&DW(ICDS) Dept. has issued

orders reserving 70% of seats in the diploma courses in Women Technical Training

Institution (Polytechnic), Hyderabad for orphans, destitute including trafficked

victims. For the last 4 years 46 trafficked victims were admitted in the WTTI,

·         YUVA” a center for adolescents & youth has been established in 7th July 2010 at

Niloufer Hospital to provide counseling on all adolescents issues. The Health and

Family Welfare Department has scaled up the same scheme in districts under NRHM.

·         Apart from the above the Dept. is conducting trainings & workshops from time to

time for officials of Line Departments & NGOs and Social awareness programmes

like Kalajathas etc.

B. Rescue:-

Along with the Police Officials, the NGOs of Ujjawala Homes and Dept. Officials are

participating in the rescue operations of trafficking and provide immediate medical

and counseling services to the unfortunate victims of trafficking. The Dept. provides

shelter to the rescued victims in Ujjawala Homes run by the NGOs with GOI funding.

C. Rehabilitation and Re-integration:-

·         Vide G.O.Ms.No.28, WCD&SC(WP) Dept., Dt.15.10.2012 Government enhanced

the immediate financial relief to the rescued victims of trafficking from Rs.10,000/- to

Rs.20,000/- towards travel, clothing and other immediate necessities, urgent

      medical care, food and accommodation expenses etc.

·         1229 rescued victims of trafficking have been provided with immediate relief

amounting to Rs.1,16,00,000/-.

·         Land pattas were given to 716 women belonging to Scheduled Tribes including

rescued victims of trafficking( Revenue Dept.,)

·         1386 houses were sanctioned to the women who were destitutes and rescued

victims trafficking.

·         Under the comprehensive scheme of Ujjawala, 8 Homes are run by NGOs in

Andhra Pradesh with a objective to provide shelter to the trafficked victims.

·         From 2008- 2014, 7080 Trafficked women/ girls rescued or runway from brothels or

other places or women/ girls, who were victims of sexual crimes, Widows deserted

by their families, Women Prisoners, sex workers and sexually abused women etc.

have been admitted in the 24 Swadhar Homes and 10 Ujjawala Homes in the State.

·         To sustain the employment opportunities to the victims of trafficking, different kinds

of vocational trainings have been provided in Ujjawala Homes.

·         For wider dissemination, a number IEC material have been developed by the

Department with the support of UNICEF and UNDT such as: Posters captioned ‘Say No to Trafficking’released. Posters captioned ‘Adapillalu Gowrava Patrulu – Ammukune Atabommalu Kadu, Na Maryada Ammakaniki Kadu and Zillaki Keertha Apakeertha’ were released. Snakes & Ladder Play on Trafficking for Adolescent Girls released.Anganwadi Workers Training Manual for adolescent Girls released.

The translated book on Social Issues titled ‘Sitakka Salahatesuko’ was released.

Booklet on ‘Roles & Responsibilities of Community Vigilant Groups’ was released.

Telugu & English Posters on Sale of Girl Child, Eve Teasing and Trafficking released. Handbook of Combat Human Trafficking in Andhra Pradesh.And the Govt. have ordered for issuing license under section 21 (2) and 21 (3) of ITP Act, 1956 to establish Protective homes in the district under section 2(g) of ITP Act, 1956. Till today two NGOs are obtained above license and others proposals are under rocess at various levels.

VII. Welfare Homes for Women and Children:

i. Service Homes:5 Homes are functioning in the State at Kannapuram (West Godavari District), Nellore, Anantapur, Warangal and Hyderabad. The Homes are meant for rehabilitation of socially and economically deprived categories of Women in the age group of 18-35 years. The inmates are provided necessary training for skill up gradation in various trades and condensed courses, appearing in 7th and 10th class - Food, Shelter, Clothing and Medical Care is provided in the Home. n Service Home Hyderabad as per the G.O. Ms No. 14 WD CW&DW (ICDS.A2) Dept dated 23-5-2008, reserving 70% of the earmarked, 221 inmates of Orphans, semi orphans and destitute are studying in the 3 year diploma course of Architecture, Civil, Computers, Electronic & Communication Engg at SDDWTTI Hyderabad. During their studies the Government will provide hostel with all facilities like free

shelter, food, Books, Technical equipment clothing, examination fee & Tuition fee or complete orphans etc.

ii.State Homes:4 Homes are functioning in the State at Srikakulam, Rajahmundry, Mahaboobnagar, Hyderabad. The Homes are meant for Women discharged from correctional Institutions and Women who are unable to protect themselves. Food, Shelter and Clothing is provided besides imparting training in various trades for self-employment, wage employment/ job employment.

iii.Rescue Home: One Home is functioning in Hyderabad. Women who are rescued by the Police and are facing trial in the Court are given shelter during the trial period. They are provided Shelter, Food, Clothing, Medical and Training in skill Development.

iv. Homes for Aged: There are two Homes functioning in the State at Hyderabad and Chittoor. These Homes provide peaceful and comfortable living for the Old destitute Women of above 60 years of age with food, shelter and clothing. Sanctioned strength of these Homes is 30 each.

v. Homes for Collegiate Girls:There are 6 Homes functioning in the State at Vizianagaram, Tanuku, Guntur, Tirupati, Warangal and Hyderabad. Inmates of Children Homes who passed 10th class and in 15-25 years age group are admitted in these Homes to pursue higher studies and they are allowed to stay for a maximum period of 5 years.

vi. Working Women's Hostels:16 hostels are functioning in the State. The Hostels provide food, shelter and security to the middle class working Women.Those who earn monthly income of less than Rs.5000/- are eligible for admission in class ‘A’ cities & Rs.4500/- are eligible for admission in other cities and towns. The inmates contribute mess charges and other administrative expenditure i.e. Water and Electricity.

vii. Children Homes:The Children Homes are meant for Girl orphans, semi-orphans, Children of disabled parents and ex-servicemen. Children in the age group of 6-10 yrs and in special cases upto 16 years are admitted. Children are provided boarding, shelter, clothing and medical care till 10th class or 18 years of age whichever is earlier. The Government Andhra Pradesh had recognized 81 Children Homes maintained by Women Development & Child Welfare Department under Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act, 2000 (Central Act, 56 of 2000) vide G.O.Ms.No.58, Department for WCD&SC (JJ), Dt.23-12-2010. As per Rules under this Act, the Institutions shall follow the conditions or standards prescribed under JJ Act and Rules.

The diet charges to the Children @ Rs.750/- per child upto 7th class and @ Rs.850/- per month per child for students from 8th to 10th class vide G.O.Ms.No.39, Social Welfare (EDN.2) Department, Dt.07.12.2012. Cosmetic charges are enhanced from Rs.25/- to Rs.75/- per month per inmate of Children Homes vide G.O.Ms.No.1, Dt. 09.01.2011 of Department for Dept., for Women, Children, Disabled & Senior Citizens (JJ). There are 81 Children Homes functioning in the State. The sanctioned strength of each Home is 60. For overall improvement of Children’s knowledge certain innovative schemes were introduced in Children Homes. They are Computer Training/Sports Yoga/ special coaching for 6th to 10th Classes/ Bul Buls and guides, training in creative arts etc.

VIII. Women Helpline – 1096

Women helpline is being maintained by Police Department at O/o Commissionerate of Police. The Helpline is providing counseling and other required services to women in distressed.

IX. Prevention of Child Marriages:

·         Vide GO.MS.No 13, Dated 19.03.2012, the government of Andhra Pradesh have issued the rules for Prohibition of Child Marriages Act,2006 and appoint of Child Marriages Prohibition Officers from district level to Village level.

·         Vide D.O.Lr.No. 6953/ICPS-H/PM-1-2012,dt.8.10.2012 addressed to Collectors

to conduct convergence meeting with all line departments to prevention of Child Marriages along with strategies to prevention of Child Marriages. Same letter was communicated to RJDS & PDS of WD&CWA Dept along with Guidelines to prevention of Child Marriages and also informed to DCPUs.

·         Vide D.O.Lr.No.1213/ICPS-H/Admin/2013,Dated 21.03.2013 addressed to all

Dist. Collectors, all Revenue Divisional Officers (RDO)/ Sub- Collectors who are District level & Divisional Level CMPOs to conduct convergence meetings to take pro-active steps to prevent of Child Marriages & creation of awareness on adverse impact of Child Marriages. Same letter was communicated to RJDS & PDS of WD&CWA Dept along with Guidelines to prevention of Child Marriages.

·                                 District level workshops at Hyderabad, Kadapa & Warangal, involving all Child

Marriage Prohibition Officers as per GO.Ms.No.13 Dt: 19.03.2012 with NGOs, Police, Revenue, and Panchayat Raj Department, Women Development & Child Welfare Department Health Department officials on prevent of Child Marriages. The same is being continued in all other districts.

·                     Organized Regional level workshops at Vizag and Tirupathi in June 2013 involving

Revenue Divisional Officers (RDOs),Police, Child Welfare Committees, Juvenile Justice Board members, NGOs, Child line, CDPOs & Women Development & Child Welfare Department officials under the Chairmanship of Dist. Collector on prevent of Child Marriages. on child related acts and child protection issues focusing on prevention of child marriages and in other 4 regions the same is being proposed to conduct by end of September 2013

·         IEC material like pamphlets, wall writings, in has been printed and distributed to

           create awareness on child Marriages.

·         Biannual IEC campaigns are being conducted at field level i.e. at each Angan

           Wadi Centre (AWC) areas, through rallies and “kalajathats” awareness is being   
           created by the CMPOs i.e CDPOs & Supervisors.

·         Preparation of CMPOs(Child Marriages Prohibition Officers) name vice list of is

          Under preparation.

·         7854 Village Child Protection Committees/ Child Protection Committees are being formed in all 23 Dist., they are working for protection of children in the village priority on prevention of child marriages.

·         Special watch on auspicious occasions and mass marriages i.e Maha  Shivarathiri, Akshya Trithiya & other important days according to “panchangam” through convergence of all departments like Revenue, Panchayat raj, Police, Judicial & Women Development & Child Welfare Department, NGOs, Child line etc.

·         The Highlights of the Act and Rules were published in the Departmental magazine- “Indira Darshini” , which circulated to 91,307 “AnganWadi Centres” in the state for information at gross root level.

·         Empowering Adolescent Girls on ill effects of child marriages through “ Balika

           Sanghas” in schools & Junior colleges.

X. A.P. State Women’s Commission:

The Andhra Pradesh Women commission has commenced functioning from June 1999 with their office located at Buddha Bhavan, Secunderabad. The Commission is headed by Chairperson. The Commission causes investigation and examines all complaints of women. The Commission also safeguards the rights of women provided in the Constitution, and takes up review and recommends suitable amendments to existing laws. The Commission also recommends new legislation and takes up legal literacy and legal awareness for

Women in the State.