Activists who had demanded a helpline exclusively for women are clueless that it has been functional for over two months now

Helpline no help

Activists who had demanded a helpline exclusively for women are clueless that it has been functional for over two months now

After the gang rape of a management professional in Hinjewadi in April, NGOs across the city had stormed into the commissioner's office demanding a helpline number exclusively for women.
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What's bizarre is that the groups that had demanded the helpline are completely clueless that the number has been functional for over two months now. The helpline was started on May 4.

Mrudula Karvande, in-charge of Women Assistance Cell at Commissioner's office, said the helpline number has not been promoted at all. She said that the overall process after the call is tedious.

"Once the helpline gets a call from a distressed woman, the information is then passed on to the police station concerned," said Karvande. "If the victim is closer to the police station, help will reach faster."

She said that four women constables are on duty 24/7.u00a0 Since there was an urgent demand, the helpline started without a formal inauguration, said Karvande.

The helpline has so far received 50 calls, most of them related to domestic violence or eve-teasing.

Sanyogita Dhamdhere, member of Centre for Advocacy and Research, an NGO, was also instrumental in demanding a helpline number. "We are not aware of the helpline being started by Pune Police. We only know of a helpline which is run by a local NGO," she said.

A meeting was convened by the Commissioner of Police and Additional Commissioner Ananta Shinde and DCP Crime Anil Kumbhare on April 27 to discuss the introduction of a helpline.

"There were 50 women activists in the meeting and we had demanded a special helpline to address crime against women. I don't know whether the helpline has started. The police have not communicated anything to us about any helpline number," said Kiran Moghe, member of NGO Janwadhi Mahila Sanghatana, who was present at the meeting. "The idea of the helpline is to help women in distress. If the women are not aware of the helpline service, what good is it?"