Department of Women Development and Child Welfare, A.P.

Measures being taken by the State government to ensure Safety and

Security of Women in Andhra Pradesh
The Government of Andhra Pradesh is taking the following steps to promote the
safety of women.
I. Implementation of DV Act-2005:
The Government of India has enacted the Protection of Women from Domestic
Violence Act 2005 with effect from 26.10.2006 which offers various reliefs to victims of
Domestic Violence like Protection Orders, Residence Order, Maintenance Order and
Custody of Children.
The Govt., of Andhra Pradesh took a proactive role to facilitate implementation of the
act in a true spirit, by designating 104 Protection Officers (i.e., 23 Project Directors of
WDCW Dept., and 81 RDOs), 72 Service Providers and putting in place DV cells in 23
districts with necessary staff to offer counseling and assistance to women who
approach these units. Annually Rs.2.34 crores is being spent by the State Government
to facilitate proper implementation of the act.
So far, about 23,040 petitions have been received of which about 49% cases are
settled through counseling. DIRs have been filed in 12,620 cases, related to which
interim orders and final orders have been issued in 967 and 3283 cases respectively.,
II. Implementation of Dowry Prohibition Act.1961:
The GOI enacted the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 with a view to discourage the
traditional system of giving Dowry which is the root cause for victimization of women.
As per the provisions under Central Act, the GOAP vide G.O.Ms.No.72, Dt:17-11-1998
have framed Rules for implementing of Dowry Prohibition Act .
Government of A.P. has appointed Revenue Divisional Officers/Sub Collectors as
Dowry Prohibition Officers exercising the powers conferred by section 10 of the DPA
Act 61.
The Government provides financial relief in DOWRY DEATH CASES to an extent of
Rs.50,000/- . Out of this amount Rs.25,000/- is payable to the parents of victim to make
legal fight and an amount of Rs.25,000/- is provided to the Children of deceased if the
child is not eligible for coverage under Girl Child Protection Scheme. The children would
be allowed for admission in residential schools run by the Departments of Social Welfare
and Women Development and Child Welfare.
So far, an amount of Rs.59.75 lakhs Financial Relief sanctioned to the 263 Dowry death
cases since 2003.
III. Prevention of Sexual Harassment of the women at work places:
As per the guidelines issued by the Honble Supreme Court of India, Government of
Andhra Pradesh has issued Orders vide G.O. Ms. No. 27, WD, CW & DW, Dt.21.4.99
for constitution of complaint committees in each Government Department to prevent
sexual harassment of the working women.
As per the orders of General Administration (Service Welfare) Dept vide Cir. Memo
No.11124/SWI/A2/2003-8, Dt.25-8-08 and G.O.Ms.No.391, GA&SW Dept on 25-82005 the Home Department., Andhra Pradesh is indentified as the Nodal Agency.
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 The GOI recently published a notification by Ministry of Low and Justice The Sexual
Harassment of Women at Work Place (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013
and Home Department of A.P. Govt. has communicated guidelines and Sections for
Internal, Local Complaints Committees and Complaint of Sexual harassment. If the
employer fails to constitute the committee and abets contravention of other provisions of
this Act or any rules shall be punished with fine which may extended to fifty thousand
rupees.
IV. National Mission for Empowerment of Women :
The GOI has introduced National Mission for Empowerment of Women. Under this
vide G.O.Ms.No.32, WCD&SC(JJ) Dept., Dt.09.11.2012,the Government of Andhra
Pradesh has issued notification constituting State Mission Authority under the
Chairmanship of the Chief Minister.
Establishment of State Resource Center for Women to take up the activities for Socio
Economic Empowerment is completed.
Medak District has been identified for taking up pilot convergence project to address
social issues under NMEW. An amount of Rs.10.00 lakhs as 1st installment was
released by the GOI for implementation of PSK model in Medak District.
V. Relief to victims of Atrocities:
Vide G.O.Ms.No.28, Dt:04.07.2003 &13.06.2011 and vide G.O. Ms. No.13 Dt.21-042006 of the WD.CW & DW (WP) Dept has been providing financial relief to the victims
of atrocities i.e., rape, Gang Rape, Dowry Death, Kidnap, Trafficking, Acid Attack,
Hacked or throat Slit etc. Further, the Government also issued orders for free
Treatment to Acid Attack victims under Arogyasree.
Rs.20,000/- immediate financial relief is being paid to rescued victims of trafficking as
per G.O.Ms.No.28, WCD&SC( WP)Dept., Dt.15.10.2012.
From the year 2003-04 to 2013-14 (up to August 2013) an amount of Rs.4.47 Crores
has been provided as relief to 2154 atrocity victims.
Other Support Services to the victims of atrocities:
Vide G.O.Ms.No.1, Dt.03.01.2003 a comprehensive policy for combating trafficking of
women and children for commercial sexual exploitation was issued.
The G.O provides for constitution of committees at the District Level to prevent
trafficking and to promote rehabilitation of victims of human trafficking.
21 Swadhar Homes are functioning in the districts to care for women in difficult
circumstances.
Eight Ujjawala Homes are functioning in the State for prevention of trafficking, rescue,
rehabilitation and repatriation of rescued victims of trafficking.
In the past six years i.e., 2008- 2013, 7080 rescued victims of Trafficking or women in
difficult circumstances have been admitted in the 21 Swadhar Homes and 8 Ujjawala
Homes in the State.
The Government of Andhra Pradesh has reserved 70% of seats in Womens Technical
Training Institute, Hyderabad to orphans and semi orphans residing in the homes of
WD&CW Dept., and so far 528 girls have been admitted in womens Technical Training
Institute since 2013-14.
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VI. Measures taken to address Trafficking of women and girls for sexual Exploitation
A.Prevention:
Govt. have issued a comprehensive policy and action plan covering various aspects
such as Prevention, Rescue, Rehabilitation and Reintegration of victims of
trafficking, vide G.O.Ms.No.1, dt. 03.01.2003.
At State Level, State Level Co-ordination Committee under the chairmanship of
Chief Secretary to Government and District Level Co-ordination Committees under
the Chairmanship of Dist. Collectors have been constituted for review and
strengthen the rescue and rehabilitation measures to address trafficking.
The Regional Network on Anti-Trafficking was constituted in Rayalaseema Region
during 2004 with District officials of Kadapa, Anantapur, and Chittoor districts with a
common action plan to prevent trafficking and evolve a standardized approach and
strategy to combat trafficking of women and girls. The same initiative has been
replicated in Guntur and Prakasam Districts of Coastal Region during 2005.
With a view to provide holistic care for rescued victims, Government of Andhra
Pradesh has issued orders vide G.O.Ms.No.16, Dt. 24.04.2010 of WD,CW &
DW(WP) Dept. prescribing minimum standards of care for institutions and service
providers who are providing care, protection and rehabilitation facilities to rescued
victims of commercial sexual exploitation/sex trafficking.
To maintain the data of trafficked victims and sources & destination of trafficking,
Department of WD & CW A.P, has evolved a new software TAPAS (Trafficking
Analysis and Prevention Aiding System). Testing of software is under process. The
Software will help in analysis of data for better planning for prevention, rescue of
victims of trafficking.
31,465 Community Vigilant Groups (CVGs) and 35,012 Adolescent Girls Groups
(AGGs)/ Balika Mandals have been constituted to prevent trafficking.
12,408 adolescent girls have been trained as Social Change Agents to facilitate
peer education at village level.
26,311 Kishori Samooh are formed with 20-25 AGs for each Samooh under Sabala
Scheme. These girls have been trained on all the social problems faced by the
women and Children.
As a critical preventive measure orders have been issued to use the funds
sanctioned under Kishori Shakti Yojana (KSY) on priority for training adolescent
girls from identified vulnerable pockets of trafficking. Since 2010-11 till date 31,048
AGs have received vocational training under KSY utilizing an amount of Rs.917.40
lakhs and 25% of the AGs trained under KSY are from the identified vulnerable
areas.
GOAP vide G.O.Ms.No.14 Dt. 23.05.2008 of WD,CW&DW(ICDS) Dept. has issued
orders reserving 70% of seats in the diploma courses in Women Technical Training
Institution (Polytechnic), Hyderabad for orphans, destitute including trafficked
victims. For the last 4 years 46 trafficked victims were admitted in the WTTI,
YUVA a center for adolescents & youth has been established in 7th July 2010 at
Niloufer Hospital to provide counseling on all adolescents issues. The Health and
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Family Welfare Department has scaled up the same scheme in districts under
NRHM.
Apart from the above the Dept. is conducting trainings & workshops from time to
time for officials of Line Departments & NGOs and Social awareness programmes
like Kalajathas etc.

B.Rescue:

Along with the Police Officials, the NGOs of Ujjawala Homes and Dept. Officials are
participating in the rescue operations of trafficking and provide immediate medical
and counseling services to the unfortunate victims of trafficking. The Dept. provides
shelter to the rescued victims in Ujjawala Homes run by the NGOs with GOI
funding.

C. Rehabilitation and Re-integration:-

Vide G.O.Ms.No.28, WCD&SC(WP) Dept., Dt.15.10.2012 Government enhanced

the immediate financial relief to the rescued victims of trafficking from Rs.10,000/- to
Rs.20,000/- towards travel, clothing and other immediate necessities, urgent
medical care, food and accommodation expenses etc.
1229 rescued victims of trafficking have been provided with immediate relief
amounting to Rs.1,16,00,000/-.
Land pattas were given to 716 women belonging to Scheduled Tribes including
rescued victims of trafficking( Revenue Dept.,)
1386 houses were sanctioned to the women who were destitutes and rescued
victims trafficking.
Under the comprehensive scheme of Ujjawala, 8 Homes are run by NGOs in
Andhra Pradesh with a objective to provide shelter to the trafficked victims.
From 2008- 2014, 7080 Trafficked women/ girls rescued or runway from brothels or
other places or women/ girls, who were victims of sexual crimes, Widows deserted
by their families, Women Prisoners, sex workers and sexually abused women etc.
have been admitted in the 24 Swadhar Homes and 10 Ujjawala Homes in the State.
To sustain the employment opportunities to the victims of trafficking, different kinds
of vocational trainings have been provided in Ujjawala Homes.
For wider dissemination, a number IEC material have been developed by the
Department with the support of UNICEF and UNDT such as:
Posters captioned Say No to Traffickingreleased.
Posters captioned Adapillalu Gowrava Patrulu Ammukune Atabommalu
Kadu, Na Maryada Ammakaniki Kadu and Zillaki Keertha Apakeertha were
released.
Snakes & Ladder Play on Trafficking for Adolescent Girls released.
Anganwadi Workers Training Manual for adolescent Girls released.
The translated book on Social Issues titled Sitakka Salahatesuko was
released.
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Booklet on Roles & Responsibilities of Community Vigilant Groups was

released.
Telugu & English Posters on Sale of Girl Child, Eve Teasing and Trafficking
released.
Handbook of Combat Human Trafficking in Andhra Pradesh.
And the Govt. have ordered for issuing license under section 21 (2) and 21 (3) of
ITP Act, 1956 to establish Protective homes in the district under section 2(g) of ITP Act,
1956. Till to day two NGOs are obtained above license and others proposals are under
process at various levels.
VII. Welfare Homes for Women and Children:
i.
Service Homes:5 Homes are functioning in the State at Kannapuram (West
Godavari District), Nellore, Anantapur, Warangal and Hyderabad. The Homes are
meant for rehabilitation of socially and economically deprived categories of Women
in the age group of 18-35 years. The inmates are provided necessary training for
skill up gradation in various trades and condensed courses, appearing in 7th and
10th class - Food, Shelter, Clothing and Medical Care is provided in the Home.
In Service Home Hyderabad as per the G.O. Ms No. 14 WD CW&DW (ICDS.A2)
Dept dated 23-5-2008, reserving 70% of the earmarked, 221 inmates of Orphans,
semi orphans and destitute are studying in the 3 year diploma course of
Architecture, Civil, Computers, Electronic & Communication Engg at SDDWTTI
Hyderabad.
During their studies the Government will provide hostel with all facilities like free
shelter, food, Books, Technical equipment clothing, examination fee & Tuition fee
for complete orphans etc.
ii.State Homes:4 Homes are functioning in the State at Srikakulam, Rajahmundry,
Mahaboobnagar, Hyderabad. The Homes are meant for Women discharged from
correctional Institutions and Women who are unable to protect themselves.
Food, Shelter and Clothing is provided besides imparting training in various trades
for self-employment, wage employment/ job employment.
iii.Rescue Home: One Home is functioning in Hyderabad. Women who are rescued by
the Police and are facing trial in the Court are given shelter during the trial period.
They are provided Shelter, Food, Clothing, Medical and Training in skill
Development.
iv. Homes for Aged: There are two Homes functioning in the State at Hyderabad and
Chittoor. These Homes provide peaceful and comfortable living for the Old destitute
Women of above 60 years of age with food, shelter and clothing. Sanctioned strength of
these Homes is 30 each.

v. Homes for Collegiate Girls:There are 6 Homes functioning in the State at

Vizianagaram, Tanuku, Guntur, Tirupati, Warangal and Hyderabad. Inmates of
Children Homes who passed 10th class and in 15-25 years age group are admitted
in these Homes to pursue higher studies and they are allowed to stay for a
maximum period of 5 years.
vi. Working Women's Hostels:16 hostels are functioning in the State. The Hostels
provide food, shelter and security to the middle class working Women.Those who
earn monthly income of less than Rs.5000/- are eligible for admission in class A
cities & Rs.4500/- are eligible for admission in other cities and towns. The inmates
contribute mess charges and other administrative expenditure i.e. Water and
Electricity.
vii. Children Homes:The Children Homes are meant for Girl orphans, semi-orphans,
Children of disabled parents and ex-servicemen. Children in the age group of 6-10
yrs and in special cases upto 16 years are admitted. Children are provided
boarding, shelter, clothing and medical care till 10th class or 18 years of age
whichever is earlier. The Government Andhra Pradesh had recognized 81 Children
Homes maintained by Women Development & Child Welfare Department under
Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act, 2000 (Central Act, 56 of 2000)
vide G.O.Ms.No.58, Department for WCD&SC (JJ), Dt.23-12-2010. As per Rules
under this Act, the Institutions shall follow the conditions or standards prescribed
under JJ Act and Rules.
The diet charges to the Children @ Rs.750/- per child upto 7th class and @ Rs.850/per month per child for students from 8th to 10th class vide G.O.Ms.No.39, Social
Welfare (EDN.2) Department, Dt.07.12.2012. Cosmetic charges are enhanced from
Rs.25/- to Rs.75/- per month per inmate of Children Homes vide G.O.Ms.No.1, Dt.
09.01.2011 of Department for Dept., for Women, Children, Disabled & Senior
Citizens (JJ). There are 81 Children Homes functioning in the State. The sanctioned
strength of each Home is 60.
For overall improvement of Childrens knowledge certain innovative schemes were
introduced in Children Homes. They are Computer Training/Sports Yoga/ special
coaching for 6th to 10th Classes/ Bul Buls and guides, training in creative arts etc.
VIII.

Women Helpline 1096

Women helpline is being maintained by Police Department at O/o
Commissionerate of Police. The Helpline is providing counseling and other
required services to women in distressed.

IX. Prevention of Child Marriages:

Vide GO.MS.No 13, Dated 19.03.2012, the government
of Andhra Pradesh
have issued the rules for Prohibition of Child Marriages Act,2006 and appoint of
Child Marriages Prohibition Officers from district level to Village level.

Vide D.O.Lr.No. 6953/ICPS-H/PM-1-2012,dt.8.10.2012 addressed to Collectors

to conduct convergence meeting with all line departments to prevention of
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Child Marriages along with strategies to prevention of Child Marriages. Same

letter was communicated to RJDS & PDS of WD&CWA Dept along with
Guidelines to prevention of Child Marriages and also informed to DCPUs.

Vide D.O.Lr.No.1213/ICPS-H/Admin/2013,Dated 21.03.2013 addressed to all

Dist. Collectors, all Revenue Divisional Officers (RDO)/ Sub- Collectors who are
District level & Divisional Level CMPOs to conduct convergence meetings to
take pro-active steps to prevent of Child Marriages & creation of awareness on
adverse impact of Child Marriages . Same letter was communicated to RJDS &
PDS of WD&CWA Dept along with Guidelines to prevention of Child Marriages.

District level workshops at Hyderabad, Kadapa & Warangal, involving all Child
Marriage Prohibition Officers as per GO.Ms.No.13 Dt: 19.03.2012 with NGOs,
Police, Revenue, and Panchayat Raj Department, Women Development &
Child Welfare Department Health Department officials on prevent of Child
Marriages. The same is being continued in all other districts.

Organized Regional level workshops at Vizag and Tirupathi in June 2013

involving Revenue Divisional Officers (RDOs),Police, Child Welfare
Committees, Juvenile Justice Board members, NGOs, Child line, CDPOs &
Women Development & Child Welfare Department officials under the
Chairmanship of Dist. Collector on prevent of Child Marriages. on child related
acts and child protection issues focusing on prevention of child marriages and in
other 4 regions the same is being proposed to conduct by end of September
2013

IEC material like pamphlets, wall writings, in has been printed and distributed to
create awareness on child Marriages.

Biannual IEC campaigns are being conducted at field level i.e. at each Angan
Wadi Centre (AWC) areas, through rallies and kalajathats awareness is being
created by the CMPOs i.e CDPOs & Supervisors.

Preparation of CMPOs(Child Marriages Prohibition Officers) name vice list of is

under preparation.

7854 Village Child Protection Committees/ Child Protection Committees are

being formed in all 23 Dist., they are working for protection of children in the
village priority on prevention of child marriages.

Special watch on auspicious occasions and mass marriages i.e Maha

Shivarathiri, Akshya Trithiya & other important days according to panchangam
through convergence of all departments like Revenue, Panchayat raj, Police,
Judicial & Women Development & Child Welfare Department, NGOs, Child line
etc.
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The Highlights of the Act and Rules were published in the Departmental
magazine- Indira Darshini , which circulated to 91,307 AnganWadi Centres
in the state for information at gross root level.

Empowering Adolescent Girls on ill effects of child marriages through Balika

Sanghas in schools & Junior colleges.

X. A.P. State Womens Commission:

The Andhra Pradesh Women commission has commenced functioning from
June 1999 with their office located at Buddha Bhavan, Secunderabad. The
Commission is headed by Chairperson. The Commission causes investigation
and examines all complaints of women. The Commission also safeguards the
rights of women provided in the Constitution, and takes up review and
recommends suitable amendments to existing laws. The Commission also
recommends new legislation and takes up legal literacy and legal awareness for
Women in the State.