Legal and Administrative Frameworks Governing Women Safety Helplines : Gaps, Reforms, and Best Practices
Keywords:
Women Safety Helplines; Legal Framework; Administrative Governance; Criminal Law; Nirbhaya Fund; SOPs; Inter-agency Coordination; Reforms; Best Practices; Gender Justice.Abstract
Women safety helplines have emerged as essential mechanisms for providing immediate support, protection, and redressal to women facing violence, harassment, and emergencies. This research paper paper critically examines the legal and administrative frameworks that govern women safety helplines in India, focusing on their evolution, operational mechanisms, existing gaps, and potential reforms. The research paper outlines the constitutional foundation for women’s protection through Articles 14, 15(3), 21, 23, and 39A, and evaluates the role of criminal laws, including the Criminal Law Amendments of 2013 and 2018, the Domestic Violence Act, POCSO Act, and anti-trafficking legislations. In addition, the paper analyzes administrative structures involving the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), state governments, district authorities, and multi-agency response systems. The research paper identifies key challenges such as inadequate inter-agency coordination, inconsistency in standard operating procedures, technological limitations, insufficient training, fragmented helpline numbers, and poor fund utilization. It highlights the need for legislative reforms, including a dedicated national law for women safety helplines and standardized operational guidelines. The research paper also explores best practices from progressive Indian states and international models to propose evidence-based recommendations. These include integrated digital platforms, unified emergency numbers, gender-sensitization training, and stronger monitoring and accountability systems. The paper argues that strengthening women safety helplines requires a combination of robust legal mandates, efficient administrative structures, advanced technology, and community-based engagement. A holistic and coordinated approach is essential for transforming helplines into reliable, accessible, and survivor-centric support systems.
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