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Gujarat's 181 Abhayam Helpline: 12 Years, 18 Lakh Women Supported, 1 Lakh Rescued

Gujarat's '181 Abhayam' women's helpline has completed 12 years of service, providing critical support to women across the state. The initiative has assisted over 18 lakh women with guidance and counselling, while rescuing more than 1 lakh from high-risk situations. It operates 24/7 with a fleet of GPS-enabled rescue vans and a mobile app featuring a panic button for instant location sharing. The state government has maintained the helpline as a cornerstone of its women's safety framework.

Key Points: Gujarat's 181 Abhayam Helpline: 12 Years of Women's Safety

  • Assisted over 18 lakh women
  • Rescued 1 lakh in high-risk cases
  • 24/7 service with rescue vans
  • Tech features like panic button & GPS
2 min read

Gujarat: Over 18 lakh women supported, one lakh rescued as '181 Abhayam' completes 12 years

Gujarat's 181 Abhayam women's helpline marks 12 years, assisting over 18 lakh women and rescuing 1 lakh. Learn about its 24/7 tech-driven services.

"The 181 Abhayam helpline has become a robust protective shield for women in Gujarat. - Officials"

Gandhinagar, March 7

Gujarat's '181 Abhayam' women's helpline has marked its 12th year of service, providing crucial support and protection to women across the state.

Since its launch on March 8, 2015, the helpline has provided guidance, counselling, and rescue services to hundreds of thousands of women facing domestic violence, harassment, cybercrimes, and marital disputes.

According to official data, over the past 12 years, the helpline has assisted more than 18,10,913 women by offering advice and support.

In extremely high-risk situations, 1,09,886 women were successfully rescued and relocated to safe shelter homes, while 2,29,660 cases were resolved on the spot through counselling.

"The 181 Abhayam helpline has become a robust protective shield for women in Gujarat. Our teams have intervened at the scene in 3,60,964 cases, providing immediate assistance and ensuring the safety of women in distress," officials said.

The helpline operates 24x7, supported by women police constables and trained counsellors.

The state has deployed 59 modern rescue vans equipped with GPS tracking, functioning as mobile safety centres, which is considered an innovative initiative in the country.

Technological tools have further enhanced the helpline's efficiency.

The 181 mobile application includes features such as a "panic button" and "phone shaking", allowing women to send their exact location to the helpline without making a call.

These innovations have improved response times and allowed timely interventions in emergencies.

"The combination of technology and trained personnel ensures that women can access help instantly, even in life-threatening situations," added the official .

The helpline also provides information on legal rights, government schemes, and support services, with the identity of the women seeking assistance kept strictly confidential.

Women from other states residing in Gujarat can access the service free of charge.

Under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, the state government has maintained the helpline as a key pillar of women's safety, ensuring that every woman in the state feels secure and supported.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
A great step for women's safety, no doubt. But the real test is in the follow-up. Are these women getting long-term legal and economic support after rescue? The article mentions counselling, but sustainable rehabilitation is key.
S
Sarah B
As someone who has lived in Gujarat, it's reassuring to know such a service exists. The fact that it's available to women from other states too is very inclusive. Hope the awareness about '181' reaches every corner.
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Aman W
Over 1 lakh women rescued... that's 1 lakh lives potentially saved. Hats off to the constables and counsellors working 24/7. This is the kind of governance that actually makes a difference on the ground. Bharat should be proud.
K
Kavya N
The 'phone shaking' feature is a game-changer for emergencies where speaking isn't possible. More people need to download that app. Sharing this article with all the women in my family and society group.
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Varun X
Good work by the Gujarat government. However, the focus shouldn't just be on rescue. We need stronger prevention through education and changing mindsets, especially in smaller towns. The helpline is a cure, but we need to work on the cause too.

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