Government allocated ₹7,212 crore to Nirbhaya Fund for FY 2023-24 Nirbhaya Fund It was created for the implementation of initiatives aimed at enhancing the safety and security for women in the country. It is a non-lapsable corpus fund administered by the Ministry of Finance. Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) is the nodal Ministry to appraise/recommend proposals and schemes to be funded under Nirbhaya Fund. Funding pattern: 60:40 for all States; 90:10 for States with
difficult terrains; 100% for UTs. Covers One Stop Centres scheme, a component under Mission Shakti.
Nirbhaya Fund Scheme was established in 2013, in the aftermath of the December 2012 Delhi gang rape and murder case. Nirbhaya (literally means fearless) was given as the victim’s name to conceal the victim’s identity. The Indian government established the ‘Nirbhaya Fund’ to execute initiatives that boost women’s safety. An Empowered Committee (EC) evaluates and suggests proposals for funding under the Nirbhaya Fund in coordination with relevant Ministries/Departments/Agencies. Post EC assessment, concerned Ministries/Departments gain approval from financial authorities for budget allocation to implement approved projects via direct means or through States/UTs/Agencies.
What is Nirbhaya Fund?
Since April 1, 2015, one of the Nirbhaya Fund’s projects, the “One Stop Centre (OSC) Scheme,” has been implemented nationwide. As of May 2022, over 700 One Stop Centres (OSCs) have opened across India. These centres have helped more than three lakh women. OSCs aim to provide many services to women who have faced abuse under one roof. These services include police help, medical care, legal and mental health counseling, and temporary shelter. OSCs must be within two kilometers of hospitals. They can be in new buildings made for this purpose or existing structures. The government is establishing One Stop Centres in all districts across India. Different ministries and agencies work together on this. A committee approves proposals to use money from the Nirbhaya yojana for this work.
Monitoring And Evaluation
- In collaboration with the relevant Central Ministries/Departments, the MWCD is responsible for reviewing and monitoring the progress of sanctioned projects/schemes under the Nirbhaya yojana.
- The monitoring and reporting method to be used at the State Government/UT level and at the level of the relevant Central Government Ministry/Department should be included in the proposal.
- Strict monitoring will be implemented for all applications, including those the EC has already evaluated, and monies will be distributed to the corresponding Ministries/Departments or States/UTs.
3 Major Schemes of Ministry of Women and Child
One-Stop Center Scheme
- To address the violence against women, the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) maintains a centrally backed scheme.
- It is part of the National Mission for Women’s Empowerment, including the Indira Gandhi Mattritav Sahyaog Yojana.
- A one-stop centre will be established nationwide to provide complete support and help to women abused under one roof in private and public settings.
- The Nirbhaya Fund and the central government are both sponsors of the scheme.
Mahila Police Volunteers (MPVs)
- The Department of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Women and Child Development jointly launched the Mahila Police Volunteers Scheme to recruit MPVs in the States and UTs.
- It is a central sector initiative that seeks to link public aid for needy women with public policy.
Central Victim Compensation Fund (CVCF)
- The Central Victim Compensation Fund (CVCF) was established under the Nirbhaya Fund Framework to assist states and union territories with victim compensation schemes.
- The CVCF is a one-time grant of additional monies to the states/UTs in response to the Supreme Court’s directives.
Significant Features of the Nirbhaya Fund
- The Centre grants money to states through the Nirbhaya Fund, which they then spend on programmes to safeguard women’s protection.
- The Women and Child Development Ministry is the nodal body for Nirbhaya Fund expenditure.
- Previously, it was responsible for providing cash. Still, now it evaluates the programmes presented to it by the states under the Nirbhaya scheme, approves them, and recommends them to the Department of Economic Affairs for funding allocation.
- Only approximately 20% of the money provided by the Union Women and Child Development Ministry has been used by the states.
- In the Union Home Ministry instance, the states have filed utilization certifications for less than 9% of the Nirbhaya Fund money.
Latest project was undertaken by States and Central governments by utilizing the Nirbhaya fund
- The One Stop Center Scheme, commonly known as “Sakhi Centers,” intends to create facilities to support women subjected to violence.
- There are First Aid, Medical, Police, Legal, and Counseling Support services available.
- Mahila Police Volunteers (MPVs), who will act as a bridge between the police and the community, will assist needy women.
- Haryana is the first state where the Mahila Police Volunteer programme has officially begun.
- One Stop Centers will be connected through the nationalisation of the Nirbhaya helpline, which will have a single number for the entire nation.
- To ensure that women and young girls are protected while being transported, the Andhra Pradesh government has suggested the Abhaya Project.
- Chirali (Friends Forever): This programme is utilised in Rajasthan. Gram Panchayats construct Community Action Groups with the goal to foster an atmosphere that enables girls and women to roam freely and take advantage of opportunities for their well-being.
FAQs
When was Nirbhaya Fund established?
The Nirbhaya Fund was a 10 billion rupee corpus announced by the Government of India in its 2013 Union Budget.
What is the purpose of the Nirbhaya Fund?
The Nirbhaya Fund can be used towards women’s safety programmes and activities.