MARGAO
On the occasion of the International Day of Rural Women (IDRW) being observed on 15th October, Goa Women’s Forum (GWF) has called upon the Directorate of Women & Child Development (DWCD) to promote the KIRAN HELPLINE for the benefit of women in Goa in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a letter to the DWCD Director, Deepali D Naik, GWF has pointed out that as the Covid-19 pandemic has had an impact on all women in Goa and more specifically the women living in rural areas, it is important that adequate support be provided to them.
It may be noted that the Government of India, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan)www.disabilityaffairs.gov.in has launched KIRAN a Mental Health Rehabilitation Helpline 1800 599 0019 which is Toll Free.
“This Helpline seeks to address issues such as Anxiety, Depression, Panic Attacks and Suicidal thoughts among others. As the Helpline is available 24 X 7 and in 13 languages which includes Hindi, Marathi and Kannada among others it will definitely benefit women in Goa as well”, stated GWF Convenor Lorna Fernandes.
GWF in its letter has requested that DWCD must inform all CDPO’s and Mukhya Sevikas about this HELPLINE and request them to inform all the Aganwadi Centres. She stressed on the need to also inform the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee of North & South Goa, the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Goa State Commission for Women, District Womens Police Stations and the “One Stop Centre” for women in distress about this HELPLINE.
“DWCD must also take steps to inform all elected women Panchayat members & Municipal Councillors through the Directorate of Panchayats and Directorate of Municipal Administration about this HELPLINE and upload the same on its website https://dwcd.goa.gov.in/, she added.
