Press Release
Press Release from State Hub for Empowerment of Women, Gangtok District
Information & Public Relations Department
Gangtok, July 28: The State Hub for Empowerment of Women (SHEW), under the Women, Child, Senior Citizen and Divyangjan Welfare Department (WCSCDWD), successfully organised a comprehensive Sensitisation and Awareness Programme at the Block Administrative Centre (BAC), Tintek.
The initiative aimed to educate rural women, local representatives, and community leaders about vital government welfare schemes, legal rights, and support mechanisms designed for women's safety and empowerment.
The programme witnessed active participation from key local stakeholders, including Mrs. Manju Rai, BDS President of Tintek, and Mrs. Pramila Sharma, Block Program Manager (BPM), State Rural Livelihoods Mission (SRLM), along with a large gathering of Self-Help Group (SHG) members from across the block.
Key Highlights and Technical Sessions:
The awareness session featured dynamic presentations by subject-matter specialists from SHEW, focusing on practical legal protections, emergency support systems, and state-backed institutional shelter programmes.
Legislative Schemes & Institutional Support:
Mr. Sajan Baraily, Research and Training Specialist (SHEW), briefed attendees on key legislative schemes crafted to safeguard and uplift women. He highlighted the benefits of Shakti Sadan (rehabilitation and support centres for women in distress) and Sakhi Niwas (working women’s hostels), emphasising how these state facilities foster self-reliance and shelter for vulnerable and working women.
Emergency Response & One Stop Services:
Ms. Bhawana Pradhan, Gender Specialist (SHEW), presented on the services provided by One Stop Centres (OSC), which offer integrated support—including medical, legal, psychological, and temporary shelter—to women affected by violence. She also sensitised the gathering on utilising the Women Helpline (181), a 24/7 toll-free service providing immediate assistance and emergency intervention.
Workplace Safety & Digital Reporting:
Mr. Stephen Rai, Research and Training Specialist-cum-SHe-Box Supervisor (SHEW), detailed the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act). He demonstrated the usage of the SHe-Box (Sexual Harassment e-Box) Portal, empowering women to report workplace harassment digitally with accountability and ease.
Speaking during the session, Mrs. Manju Rai appreciated the department's effort in bringing critical legal and social knowledge directly to the block level. Mrs. Pramila Sharma encouraged the participating SHG members to act as master trainers and dissemination agents, ensuring that information regarding Helpline 181, POSH protections, and government schemes reaches every household in Tintek.
The programme concluded with an interactive Q&A session where SHG members clarified queries on accessing benefits and seeking immediate aid, reinforcing the commitment to creating a safe and empowered environment for women in the region.
The initiative aimed to educate rural women, local representatives, and community leaders about vital government welfare schemes, legal rights, and support mechanisms designed for women's safety and empowerment.
The programme witnessed active participation from key local stakeholders, including Mrs. Manju Rai, BDS President of Tintek, and Mrs. Pramila Sharma, Block Program Manager (BPM), State Rural Livelihoods Mission (SRLM), along with a large gathering of Self-Help Group (SHG) members from across the block.
Key Highlights and Technical Sessions:
The awareness session featured dynamic presentations by subject-matter specialists from SHEW, focusing on practical legal protections, emergency support systems, and state-backed institutional shelter programmes.
Legislative Schemes & Institutional Support:
Mr. Sajan Baraily, Research and Training Specialist (SHEW), briefed attendees on key legislative schemes crafted to safeguard and uplift women. He highlighted the benefits of Shakti Sadan (rehabilitation and support centres for women in distress) and Sakhi Niwas (working women’s hostels), emphasising how these state facilities foster self-reliance and shelter for vulnerable and working women.
Emergency Response & One Stop Services:
Ms. Bhawana Pradhan, Gender Specialist (SHEW), presented on the services provided by One Stop Centres (OSC), which offer integrated support—including medical, legal, psychological, and temporary shelter—to women affected by violence. She also sensitised the gathering on utilising the Women Helpline (181), a 24/7 toll-free service providing immediate assistance and emergency intervention.
Workplace Safety & Digital Reporting:
Mr. Stephen Rai, Research and Training Specialist-cum-SHe-Box Supervisor (SHEW), detailed the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act). He demonstrated the usage of the SHe-Box (Sexual Harassment e-Box) Portal, empowering women to report workplace harassment digitally with accountability and ease.
Speaking during the session, Mrs. Manju Rai appreciated the department's effort in bringing critical legal and social knowledge directly to the block level. Mrs. Pramila Sharma encouraged the participating SHG members to act as master trainers and dissemination agents, ensuring that information regarding Helpline 181, POSH protections, and government schemes reaches every household in Tintek.
The programme concluded with an interactive Q&A session where SHG members clarified queries on accessing benefits and seeking immediate aid, reinforcing the commitment to creating a safe and empowered environment for women in the region.
