Decision Maker Response
Rekha Sharma’s response
Rekha SharmaChairperson, National Commission for Women
Jun 4, 2020
Dear Citizens,
The lockdown brought on by the Coronavirus pandemic has made life difficult for women living in abusive relationships. 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. The numbers could be higher. It saddens us that the number of reported domestic violence cases in India has been increasing week by week.
I wish to assure Meru and Arushi, and all the 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. Digital tools and innovative technologies can be extremely effective and assume greater relevance in such times.
As an immediate step, the National Commission for Women launched a WhatsApp number for women to report cases online.
I endorse the idea proposed by Meru and Arushi of using the government’s Aarogya Setu app to fight domestic abuse so that women who need help can be rescued and receive the state’s support immediately.
Given that the app’s reach to more than 8 crore Indians who have downloaded it, this initiative will also help us raise awareness on the issue. It could prove to be a gamechanger in the fight against domestic violence during the pandemic.
I congratulate Meru and Arushi for running this campaign and hope that their idea will help many women who remain silenced in abusive homes.
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 to stay updated with our various initiatives.
Thank you,
Rekha Sharma
Chairperson, National Commission for Women
The lockdown brought on by the Coronavirus pandemic has made life difficult for women living in abusive relationships. 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. The numbers could be higher. It saddens us that the number of reported domestic violence cases in India has been increasing week by week.
I wish to assure Meru and Arushi, and all the 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. Digital tools and innovative technologies can be extremely effective and assume greater relevance in such times.
As an immediate step, the National Commission for Women launched a WhatsApp number for women to report cases online.
I endorse the idea proposed by Meru and Arushi of using the government’s Aarogya Setu app to fight domestic abuse so that women who need help can be rescued and receive the state’s support immediately.
Given that the app’s reach to more than 8 crore Indians who have downloaded it, this initiative will also help us raise awareness on the issue. It could prove to be a gamechanger in the fight against domestic violence during the pandemic.
I congratulate Meru and Arushi for running this campaign and hope that their idea will help many women who remain silenced in abusive homes.
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 to stay updated with our various initiatives.
Thank you,
Rekha Sharma
Chairperson, National Commission for Women