The National Commission for Women and Children (NCWC) officially launched the toll-free Woman and Child Helpline 1098 to strengthen care and protection services for women and children, and other vulnerable groups coinciding with the International Day of Girl Child today.
The helpline will be attending to calls 24×7 from women, children and even men who are in need of care and protection.
The toll-free helpline was in operation for the past three months since its pilot launch in July this year. So far, the commission has attended to over 57 calls and 185 voice messages.
“We received calls on issues related mostly to domestic violence. And there were issues with regard to children in difficult circumstances,” Kinley Dorji, the Programme Officer of NCWC, said.
“We provide our callers with legal advice like the procedures and requirements if a victim wants to lodge any complaint.”
He added the major women and children issues in the country include domestic violence, or violence against children and physical, emotional and sexual abuse.
Through the helpline, the commission will be providing services and interventions to solve challenges faced by orphans, abandoned women and children, children with a single parent.
It is also expected to strengthen the timely provision of effective and efficient services to women and children and even men through counselling or by referring to relevant agencies such as police, health and CSOs to ensure quality care and support.
The commission set up this helpline following a meeting in 2016 among the SAARC countries that agreed to set up a uniform child helpline in the region.
The members also agreed to use a common toll-free number 1098 throughout the region.
