One more step towards ending violence against women

On the 4th of March, 2010, Mumbai Police and Akshara, in the presence of
Ms. Chandra Iyengar, Addl. Chief Secretary (Home) and the entire media
community, successfully launched the new campaign for 103 police helpline
for crimes against women at the Azad Maidan Police Club. The helpline which
has helped more than 2800 women to raise their voices against violence and
take police help, completed two years on 28th of February 2010. The helpline
ensures that police arrive at the doorstep within few minutes
after receiving the call.

Almost as a gift for the International women’s day, Ms. Iyengar agreed to
our demand and made landmark announcement that by April, the 103 helpline
would be made available across the State, so that women from all over
Maharashtra can receive prompt and effective redressal to their problems.

Please check out the publicity material designed by Leo Burnett and produced
by Akshara, which are displayed across all major traffic signals across
Mumbai in the form of vertical panels, BEST Buses as rear adverts, cinema
theatres as slides, and at other public places like colleges, hospitals, all
police stations, chowkis and vans etc as posters. Akshara has also tied up
with the Mumbai traffic department to display the 103 helpline number on all
major electronic hoardings across the city, and with Central and Western
Railways to paste stickers of 103 inside all trains and near ticket
counters. Apna TV, the community video unit of Akshara has made a short
documentary capturing the impact stories of the helpline 103, which was also
screened at the event and received very positive response.

With everyone’s support, we can make sure that we reach maximum number of
women, make this number a nationwide number contributing to ending violence
against women.

Links of press/media coverage of the event:
1. http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_helpline-103-will-now-be-for-all-women-in-maharashtra_1355417
2. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/From-April--women-across-state-can-dial-103-for-help/586943/
3. http://www.sakaaltimes.com/SakaalTimesBeta/20100304/4926093925886312477.htm
4. http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=E9JTS8yMDEwLzAzLzA1I0FyMDA3MDQ=&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom
5.http://epaper.hindustantimes.com//artMailDisp.aspx?article=05_03_2010_003_003&typ=1&pub=264

Regards,

Nandita Shah Anisha Padhee
Co-Director Program Officer VAW

posted 13 March 2010 by Nandita Shah from email

Courtesy: http://dgroups.org/ViewDiscussion.aspx?c=65c812b0-3f36-46c1-aa6f-87c6d49cd31e&i=4bd77b7b-d8e2-4bfe-8456-6ea4e954afdc