Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) is a gross violation of human rights and one of the most persistent forms of gender inequality and discrimination. The NCRB data saw a total of 4,28,278 instances of crime against women in 2021 – a 15 percent increase from
the previous year. The NCRB report also shows that the rate of crime against women (the number of incidents per 1 lakh population) increased from 56.5 percent in 2020 to 64.5 percent in 2022.
Bijayani Centres: An overview
The centres are running in collaboration with the Department of Police and local women’s rights organizations, Oxfam India has facilitated Bijayini centres (7 Women
Support Centres) in 7 districts of Odisha. These support centres provide linkages to state services like counseling, legal advice, referral for shelter, medical and so forth, to women and girls who are survivors of domestic violence. In addition, they also provide livelihood
support so that women who are in a vulnerable situation can feel economically empowered.
Who run the women support centre
In each district, there are two Counselors for each Bijayini centre. The Counsellors are
from psychology and other social science background having experience of working on women’s rights issues.
Engagement and close collaboration with the District Police Department
The Bijayini Centres are working closely in collaboration with the local department of police. The collaboration allowed the Bijoyini Centres stationed within the premises of the Superintendent of Police’s office. The department extends support and provides a pool of resources for case management at the women's support center. A large number of
women are referred by the police personnel and meanwhile.
Women Support Centres responding to cases of Violence
Counseling
The Counsellors of Bijayini centre offer a series of counseling to the women who approach the center with the following mandates. To rebuild the self-esteem of the
survivors of violence through single or series of counseling sessions.
Every survivor, who approaches Bijayini Centre, either by her own or by reference from others including police are counseled by the counselors. The joint counseling session will be undertaken with the family members as well as other respondents. The counselor will support the woman to lodge an FIR if she does not want counseling or mediation.
Legal Aid
Bijayini centres will facilitate linkages with legal services and ensure legal advice to the deserving cases through District Legal Services Authority.
Provision of shelter
In case of immediate need of shelter, the necessary arrangement shall be availed in collaboration with shelter homes present in the districts.
In almost all districts of Odisha, shelters are being run by the Women and Child Development Department for providing shelter to women who are in difficult situation and need of such service.
Medical Aid and Support
Medical support for survivors of violence in deserving cases will be linked through Red Cross, State Medical Services or Chief Minister’s relief fund.
Home Visit
The Counsellors of Bijayini Centre will undertake home visits as and when necessary for the purpose of follow-up, collecting information, and ensuring adequate welfare to the survivors.
Home visits may also be undertaken in cases where the opposite parties avoid receiving them.
notices from counselors or do not participate in the counseling.
Home visits will preferably be carried out with the support of the local police station and as far as possible in the presence of the women police personnel.
