Union Minister for Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, on Tuesday launched 227 new Gender Resource Centres (GRCs) across 13 states. These centres are designed to provide survivors of gender-based violence with safe spaces, essential information, legal aid, and a platform to report incidents. The inauguration is part of the third phase of the Nayi Chetna – Pahal Badlaav Ki campaign, which aims to increase awareness of all forms of gender-based violence (GBV), motivate communities to speak out and demand accountability, provide timely support, and empower local bodies to take strong action against violence.
In his speech, Chouhan emphasised the government’s numerous initiatives to advance the social and economic well-being of women, underscoring that GBV exists not only in rural areas but also in urban regions. Annpurna Devi, Union Minister for Women and Child Development, introduced the #abkoibahananahi campaign, calling for united efforts against GBV. She highlighted the contributions of 10 crore Self-Help Group (SHG) women and the 49 government schemes aimed at promoting gender equality, including 24/7 helplines, One-Stop Centres, and fast-track justice initiatives. Devi stressed that GBV must be eradicated and that women should have equal opportunities in the economic, social, and political realms.
Other officials, including Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State for Rural Development, and Kamlesh Paswan, Minister of State for Rural Development, emphasized the need for a collective societal approach to end gender-based violence. Shailesh Kumar Singh, Secretary of Rural Development, reflected on the success of the previous Nayi Chetna 2.0 campaign, which reached over 6 crore people through more than 9 lakh community-driven activities.
The Nayi Chetna 3.0 campaign, which will run for a month till December 23, 2024, is focused on the theme ‘Ek Saath Ek Awaaz – Hinsa Ke Khilaf,’ encouraging collective efforts against violence, promoting safe and inclusive spaces, and breaking down barriers of inequality. The campaign, organized by the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) under the Ministry of Rural Development, is a nationwide initiative involving SHGs across India, aiming to create a people’s movement for gender justice.
During the event, three gender champions from Jharkhand, Puducherry, and Madhya Pradesh shared their personal stories of overcoming gender-based violence and becoming leaders in the fight against it.
