NEW DELHI, Nov 30: The Ministry of External Affairs’ proposal to establish nine One-Stop Centres (OSCs) for Indian women in distress has received approval from the Empowered Committee of the Ministry of Women and Child Development. These centres are designed to provide comprehensive assistance to women in vulnerable situations, addressing their immediate needs and offering critical support.

Out of the nine proposed OSCs, seven will be equipped with shelter homes and will be set up across key locations in the Gulf region, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, with centres in both Jeddah and Riyadh. The remaining two centres, located in Toronto and Singapore, will operate without shelter home facilities but will continue to provide other essential services.

To support the rollout of these initiatives, the Ministry of External Affairs has opened a dedicated budget line to fund these missions. The centres will offer a wide range of services, including emergency shelter, legal aid, and counselling, to help women in distress navigate complex legal and social challenges.

The Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF), which is already operational in Indian Missions and Posts worldwide, will play a central role in extending welfare measures to distressed Indian nationals, particularly women. The ICWF’s guidelines, revised comprehensively in September 2017, have expanded its scope to address a wider range of issues faced by overseas Indians, ensuring more robust support for those in need.

The ICWF now covers emergency assistance such as boarding and lodging, air travel for stranded individuals, legal aid, medical care, and the repatriation of mortal remains. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by Indian women abroad, the ICWF guidelines include specific provisions for legal assistance and counselling for women who have been abandoned by their overseas Indian or foreign spouses.

Additionally, legal panels have been established in countries with large Indian diasporas to provide timely and efficient support to those in need. In cases involving minor legal infractions, the fund also allows for the payment of fines to secure the release of Indian nationals, ensuring that individuals facing such challenges can be promptly assisted.

These initiatives represent a significant step forward in providing crucial assistance and support to Indian women facing difficult and distressing circumstances abroad, reinforcing the government’s commitment to their welfare and safety.