On October 11, 2025, Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi announced a significant achievement: 854 one-stop centers for women have been established across India, thanks to the Nirbhaya Fund. These vital centers offer a range of services including shelter, counseling, medical assistance, and legal aid to survivors of violence.
Minister Devi made this announcement while addressing the National Annual Stakeholders’ Consultation, a two-day event focused on ‘Safeguarding the Girl Child: Towards a Safer and Enabling Environment for Her in India.’ This crucial gathering was organized by the Supreme Court’s Juvenile Justice Committee in partnership with UNICEF India.
Coinciding with the International Day of the Girl Child, the Minister emphasized the profound relevance of the discussions. She highlighted a positive societal shift in India, pointing out that 56% of legally adopted children last year were girls. ‘Girls are no longer viewed as a burden, but as a beacon of hope,’ she affirmed.
Further, the Minister detailed several key initiatives designed to bolster women’s safety and foster self-reliance. These include the 181 women’s helpline, dedicated women’s help desks at police stations, working women’s hostels, and the Shakti Sadhan program. Addressing a distinguished audience that included Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, she stated, ‘This isn’t merely a policy discussion; it’s a living testament to our nation’s future, our evolving social consciousness, and our ethical duty.’
According to Minister Devi, the empowerment of women is central to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a developed India by 2047. The government’s comprehensive strategy, encompassing initiatives like Mission Shakti, Mission Vatsalya, and Mission Poshan 2.0, is designed to bolster women’s safety, foster their empowerment, and promote self-reliance.
She further elaborated that under Prime Minister Modi’s guidance, India has embraced a holistic ‘life-cycle approach’ to ensure the safety and empowerment of girls, with women’s empowerment being a core priority across all government schemes. The administration is committed to building a robust future for women by equipping them with digital and financial literacy, self-defense training, and essential life skills.
Highlighting a zero-tolerance stance against child abuse, Minister Devi underscored the robust legal framework in place for children’s protection. This framework includes key legislations such as the Juvenile Justice Act, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the Child Marriage Prohibition Act, and the Right to Education Act.
Despite these safeguards, she warned that threats to children are constantly evolving, with new challenges emerging from cyber-bullying, online grooming, and digital trafficking. In response, the government is rolling out school-based awareness programs that incorporate mental health and psychosocial support, aiming to ensure every child is not only physically safe but also mentally resilient. ‘We must collectively strive to embed respect for girls not just in policy, but deeply within our culture,’ the Minister urged.
Cynthia McCaffrey, UNICEF’s India representative, commended India’s significant progress in child protection. She cited the establishment of juvenile justice boards, child welfare committees, and specialized POCSO courts as concrete evidence of this advancement. McCaffrey also noted that flagship programs like Mission Vatsalya, Mission Shakti, and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao have established robust foundations capable of widespread expansion.
McCaffrey further highlighted impactful community-level interventions across various states, including adolescent clubs in Madhya Pradesh, Bharosa centers in Telangana, and advocacy groups in Odisha and Rajasthan. These initiatives, she explained, are proving effective in delaying child marriages and empowering young girls.
Despite these successes, she stressed the ongoing necessity for sustained investment in prevention, education, and survivor-centric care, particularly given that one in four girls in India is still married before reaching 18 years of age. ‘Every child deserves immediate, sensitive medical, psychosocial, and legal support, and justice must be both swift and dignified,’ McCaffrey asserted, urging concerted efforts from all institutions and states.