Respuesta de Rekha Sharma

Dear Citizens,

Globally, domestic violence has been on the rise since almost the entire world is staying indoors. Cases of domestic violence against women in India also seem to be gradually increasing during the Coronavirus pandemic.

The National Commission for Women recorded a two-fold rise in gender-based violence. We have received 727 complaints via WhatsApp from a total of 1,476 complaints between 25th March to 31st May, 2020. It saddens us that women are facing the brunt of the lockdown.

I wish to assure Angellica Aribam and Kirthi Jayakumar, and all the 40,000 supporters of their petition on Change.org that the National Commission for Women is standing with each one of you.

We believe that in uncertain times like these, it is imperative to give survivors access to all possible avenues to report abuse and seek help. The National Commission for Women announced the following initiatives for women to report cases of gender based violence.

We launched a WhatsApp number 7217735372 for women to report cases online.

My team is working 24/7 and we help in shifting the victims to a safer location if needed with the help of the police. I urge people to report such cases through WhatsApp on the number so that we can provide support and assistance to the women in distress or experiencing domestic violence.

I endorse the idea proposed by Angellica Aribam and Kirthi Jayakumar to create widespread awareness about the helpline via ads and announcements in English, Hindi, and regional languages.

We have been publicising the helpline in the media, on social media and on our website. Anyone can go to ncw.nic.in and register complaint online

I would like you to remain updated about the work the National Commission for Women is doing during the pandemic and after. Please follow us on Twitter @NCWIndia

Thank you,
Rekha Sharma
Chairperson, National Commission for Women