The central government is set to extend the stay duration for domestic violence survivors at One-Stop Centres (OSCs) from the existing five days to ten, with special cases permitting an extension of up to 15 days. Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi confirmed the plan while speaking at an event in New Delhi on Wednesday night.
Currently, OSCs provide temporary shelter for up to five days to women facing violence, including those with daughters of all ages and boys up to eight years old. The proposed extension aims to offer better support and stability to survivors during their recovery. For those needing long-term assistance, OSCs collaborate with Swadhar Greh shelters run by the government or NGOs.
The initiative is part of the government’s broader effort to strengthen support systems for women affected by violence, whether in private, public, or workplace settings. The final decision on the extension is in its concluding stages.
Annapurna Devi, an MP from Jharkhand’s Koderma, made the announcement while hosting a dinner for women panchayat leaders and sarpanchs from Jharkhand, who are in the national capital for International Women’s Day celebrations. She lauded their contributions, emphasizing that recognizing their efforts is crucial in the journey from women’s development to women-led development.
