International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women

International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women

International Context and Significance

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, observed every year on November 25, signals global resolve to combat gender-based violence across social, cultural and digital domains. Initiated by the United Nations General Assembly, it also marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism campaign (Nov 25–Dec 10), creating momentum for legislative, social and institutional reforms worldwide.

 

Theme for 2025: Digital Violence as a New Frontier

The 2025 global theme, “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls”, highlights the fast-emerging threats facing women online. Deepfakes, cyberstalking, trolling, impersonation, doxxing, and coordinated misogynistic attacks have intensified with greater digital penetration. The theme underscores that gender-based violence is no longer limited to physical spaces but extends deeply into online ecosystems.

 

India’s Policy Architecture for Women’s Safety

India’s strategy to address violence against women is multi-pronged, combining laws, institutional mechanisms, digital tools and nationwide support systems. The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) anchors this effort through Mission Shakti, which integrates protection, redressal and empowerment. The approach emphasises both immediate support and long-term structural transformation to ensure gender equality.

 

Mandate and Role of the National Commission for Women

The National Commission for Women (NCW), established in 1992, is the primary statutory body responsible for safeguarding women’s rights. It reviews legal protections, investigates rights violations, recommends reforms and handles complaints online and offline. Its IVR-enabled helpline (7827170170) offers 24×7 support by linking women with police, hospitals, counsellors and legal authorities. State Commissions for Women perform similar functions at the state level.

 

Criminal Justice Reforms: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

With the implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) from July 2024, India undertook significant reforms in sexual offence laws. BNS expands definitions of sexual crimes, mandates audio-video recording of victim statements, prioritises trials involving women and children, and imposes strict punishments including life imprisonment for rape of minors. These reforms aim to make justice more survivor-centric and time-bound.

 

Protection Mechanisms under PWDVA, 2005

The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act recognises physical, sexual, emotional and economic abuse within domestic relationships. It provides aggrieved women with protection orders, residence rights, monetary relief and legal support. By broadening the definition of domestic violence, the Act ensures that non-physical forms of abuse receive legal attention and remedy.

 

Workplace Safety under the POSH Act, 2013

The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act applies across formal and informal sectors, mandating Internal Committees in establishments with ten or more employees. Local Committees address cases in smaller workplaces. SHe-Box, the digital complaint and tracking platform managed by MWCD, ensures transparency, accountability and timely inquiries under the Act.

 

Mission Shakti: Integrated Protection and Empowerment

Mission Shakti brings together multiple schemes under a unified framework to address women’s safety, shelter, health, legal support and empowerment. It focuses on strengthening institutional linkages and improving service delivery, ensuring that women receive continuous support throughout different stages of their lives.

 

Rehabilitation Framework: Swadhar Greh Scheme

The Swadhar Greh Scheme provides shelter, counselling, food, clothing, health services, vocational training and legal assistance to women facing abandonment, violence, homelessness, social exclusion or mental distress. It aims to reintegrate them into society by promoting emotional stability and economic independence.

 

Crisis Support Services via One Stop Centres

One Stop Centres (OSCs), operational since 2015, offer integrated support under one roof, including police facilitation, medical support, legal aid and psycho-social counselling. They fill a critical gap by providing immediate, coordinated assistance to survivors of violence at the district level.

 

Mental Health Support: Stree Manoraksha Initiative

The Stree Manoraksha programme, developed with NIMHANS, enhances the mental-health preparedness of OSC staff. It trains personnel to respond sensitively to trauma, psychological stress and emotional needs, ensuring that survivors receive compassionate and professional care.

 

Digital Safety through the Digital Shakti Campaign

The Digital Shakti Campaign builds cyber awareness among women, educating them about online threats, digital hygiene, reporting mechanisms and protective tools. It aims to reduce vulnerability to cybercrimes and empower women to participate safely in the digital space.

 

Emergency and Reporting Infrastructure

The Women Helpline (181) provides round-the-clock nationwide support for women in distress, while the Emergency Response Support System (112) integrates police, fire and ambulance services. Women Help Desks in over 14,600 police stations improve reporting access, sensitivity and immediate assistance.

 

Fast-Track Justice Delivery Systems

Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), including dedicated POCSO courts, expedite trials involving rape and child sexual abuse. With 773 courts operational across 29 States and UTs, over 3.3 lakh cases have been disposed, improving the pace and effectiveness of justice delivery.

 

Technology-Driven Criminal Justice Tools

India has deployed ITSSO for real-time tracking of investigations in sexual offences, NDSO for monitoring convicted offenders, and Cri-MAC for rapid inter-state information sharing. These digital tools strengthen coordination among law-enforcement agencies and improve case outcomes.

 

India’s Holistic Strategy for Ending Violence

India’s combined use of legislative reform, institutional expansion, technology, helplines and community-level initiatives reflects a comprehensive national commitment to ending violence against women. As both online and offline threats evolve, these systems aim to secure a safe, dignified and equal environment for every woman and girl in India.

MCQ:

1. The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is observed to:
(a) Mark global action against gender-based violence
(b) Celebrate achievements in women’s sports
(c) Promote women’s entrepreneurship only
(d) Highlight global poverty rates

2. The 16 Days of Activism campaign begins on:
(a) December 1
(b) November 25
(c) August 15
(d) December 31

3. The 2025 global theme focuses primarily on:
(a) Eliminating child labour
(b) Ending digital violence against women and girls
(c) Promoting equal pay standards
(d) Expanding women’s representation in sports

4. Digital violence includes which of the following?
(a) Cyberstalking and deepfakes
(b) Subsidy denial
(c) Water scarcity
(d) Cashless transactions

5. India’s policy framework for women’s safety is anchored by:
(a) Ministry of Corporate Affairs
(b) Ministry of Women and Child Development
(c) Ministry of Labour
(d) NITI Aayog

6. Mission Shakti primarily aims to:
(a) Promote sports training for girls
(b) Integrate protection, redressal and empowerment mechanisms
(c) Fund private security agencies
(d) Develop women’s self-help groups only

7. The National Commission for Women was established in:
(a) 1975
(b) 1992
(c) 2005
(d) 2013

8. Which helpline launched by NCW offers 24×7 IVR-enabled support?
(a) 100
(b) 155260
(c) 7827170170
(d) 1515

9. Under BNS 2023, which of the following reforms was introduced?
(a) Abolition of all sexual offence laws
(b) Mandatory audio-video recording of victim statements
(c) Replacement of all women-related laws with a single code
(d) Removal of penalties for minor offences

10. The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act covers:
(a) Only physical abuse
(b) Only economic disputes
(c) Physical, sexual, emotional and economic abuse
(d) Only cases registered in courts

11. SHe-Box is a platform created to:
(a) Deliver training modules for teachers
(b) Track and monitor workplace sexual harassment complaints
(c) Provide microcredit to women entrepreneurs
(d) Report domestic violence cases only

12. Swadhar Greh Scheme focuses on:
(a) Providing shelter and rehabilitation to women in difficult circumstances
(b) Giving cash transfers to all widows
(c) Building sports hostels for girls
(d) Funding women-led start-ups

13. Services provided at One Stop Centres include:
(a) Only legal advice
(b) Police facilitation, medical help, legal aid and counselling
(c) Only vocational training
(d) Agricultural support for women farmers

14. The Stree Manoraksha initiative involves:
(a) Training OSC staff in psycho-social and mental-health support
(b) Providing scholarships to girl students
(c) Developing digital literacy for rural women
(d) Funding start-ups working on women’s safety apps

15. Cri-MAC is designed to:
(a) Track global terror financing
(b) Share real-time information on inter-state crimes
(c) Promote cross-border tourism
(d) Monitor financial fraud in banks