Hyderabad: A new help center for women in distress will soon open in the Old City of Hyderabad. Called the Sakhi One Stop Centre (SOSC), it will be located in Champapet, Saidabad. This center is part of a national program to support women and is focused on spreading awareness and reducing crimes against women.
The Sakhi Centre is a part of the Mission Shakti scheme by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Shaheen Women’s Resource and Welfare Association, a Hyderabad-based group, has been chosen to run the new center. This organization, led by women, works with marginalized women from Muslim, Dalit, and other underprivileged communities.
The center will offer many services under one roof. These include medical help, counseling, legal advice, police support, and temporary shelter for women who have faced violence. Jameela Nishat, the founder of Shaheen, said that since its start in 2002, the organization has worked with around three lakh people in 25 poor neighborhoods of Hyderabad. She added that the Sakhi Centre will allow them to reach even more women.
The center will help women who have experienced different forms of violence such as sexual harassment, assault, domestic abuse, trafficking, honor-based crimes, acid attacks, or witch-hunting. Jameela said that Shaheen has spent two decades working in an area affected by community violence, always standing up for women’s rights and helping them find support and dignity.
Between October 2000 and June 2023, Shaheen has made a big impact. They have helped over 86,989 households, stopped 1,041 child marriages, helped 4,522 girls return to school or college, and supported 7,461 victims of violence. They also provided vocational training to 17,389 people, helped 13,658 people become financially independent, and helped 1,962 people find jobs.
Shaheen also visits homes regularly to check for signs of abuse, holds health camps, offers counseling, legal workshops, and training on sexual and reproductive health. They provide both traditional and non-traditional skill training to help women become self-reliant.
Jameela said that Shaheen’s activities have helped spread awareness among community leaders, religious figures, and men. This has led to a better understanding of women’s rights, improved health and safety for girls, and stronger voices against injustice.
