A state-level consultation workshop was organized at Hotel BNR Chanakya, Ranchi, on the initiative of Youth Unity for Voluntary Action (YUVA) in collaboration with CREA, New Delhi. The event aimed at improving and strengthening One Stop Centres (OSCs) across Jharkhand to provide better support to women affected by violence. MP Mahua Maji was the chief guest, while ADG and in-charge of the State Level Women’s Cell, Suman Gupta, attended as the special guest.
One Stop Centres, also known as Sakhi Centres, were established across India following the Nirbhaya case to provide temporary shelter and support to women facing violence. In Jharkhand, OSCs are functional in all 24 districts, but they face significant challenges in accessibility, infrastructure, and staffing.
During the workshop, a survey report was presented, revealing that out of the 24 OSCs in Jharkhand, only five—located in Koderma, Ramgarh, Seraikela, Lohardaga, and Dhanbad—operate 24 hours a day. The remaining centres struggle due to a lack of resources, infrastructure, and manpower.
Representatives from various districts highlighted critical issues. Laxmi Birua, a representative from the Jamshedpur OSC, shared that their centre is located on the third floor of the Red Cross Building, but the absence of an elevator makes access difficult for victims, especially those with disabilities. Furthermore, the centre does not remain operational round the clock, creating challenges for women seeking shelter at night.
Representatives from the Seraikela centre pointed out severe manpower shortages, making it difficult to ensure 24-hour operations. Many OSC workers reported that when they reach out to police stations for assistance in cases involving women, police officials often redirect them to NGOs instead of taking direct action. This lack of coordination between OSCs and law enforcement was identified as a major hurdle in providing timely support to victims.
Special guest Suman Gupta acknowledged that a communication gap exists between the police and OSC representatives, which needs to be bridged. She emphasized the need for increased awareness about OSCs, noting that many women do not seek help due to social stigma. Gupta assured that as the head of the Women’s Cell, she would work towards reducing this gap and improving police-OSCs coordination. She also highlighted the necessity of a robust monitoring mechanism to ensure the effective functioning of these centres.
Chief guest Mahua Maji expressed concern over the lack of infrastructure in OSCs. She promised to raise the issue in Parliament and demand a share of the ₹3,000 crore allocated for OSCs nationwide to be directed towards improving Jharkhand’s centres. Recalling her tenure as the Chairperson of the State Women’s Commission, she reiterated her commitment to advocating for the rights of women and strengthening support mechanisms.
