Project Hifazat – Punjab’s Initiative for Women & Child Safety

• Launched by Punjab Government on the eve of International Women’s Day.
• Aimed at supporting women and children facing violence and harassment.
• Focuses on domestic violence prevention and victim support.

Objectives:

• Eliminate fear among victims and encourage them to seek help.
• Provide an integrated support system for distressed women and children.
• Enhance last-mile connectivity for immediate assistance.

Helpline & Response Mechanism:

• 24×7 helpline (181) categorizing calls into emergency, non-emergency, and informational.
• Emergency cases are transferred to ERSS-112 for swift action.

Multi-Agency Collaboration:

• Departments involved: Social Security, Health, and Punjab Police.
• Facilitates rescue operations, legal aid, medical assistance, and psycho-social support.

Support Services:

• One Stop Centres (OSCs) and District Child Protection Units (DCPUs) provide:
• Psychological counseling, legal aid, and rehabilitation services.
• Information on shelter homes and welfare schemes.
• State-of-the-art control room in Chandigarh monitors helpline traffic and effectiveness.

Legal Framework & Implementation:

• Strengthens the Domestic Violence Act & POCSO Act implementation.

Enhances legal and social support for a safer society.