During his inspection of the Women and Child Helpline at the Directorate of Social Welfare, Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh highlighted the rising number of digital crimes against women, with 18 cases recently reported. He stressed the importance of enhancing the department, especially in addressing cases that face delays.
“See, as I said, we will need to further strengthen the department, ensure that where cases take longer than they should take. Those will be corrected and once we integrate their information system with the secretariat, I will be in a position to see the data flowing on a daily basis and we can then take corrective measures in such cases,” Lyngdoh said.
He revealed plans to integrate the department’s information system with the Secretariat to allow real-time monitoring of data, facilitating quicker corrective actions.
The state has been increasing its efforts to tackle various forms of violence against women, including physical, emotional, and digital abuse. In 2024 alone, 60 cases of domestic violence were reported by the Women and Child Care control room, highlighting the need for robust support systems.
Lyngdoh encouraged women to utilize the resources available: “We have now increased our interaction with the various social groups, women organizations. I would like to encourage women to come forward. We now have helplines attended to round the clock, and therefore there should be nothing that would stop such women from getting in touch with us.”
He also touched on the societal challenge of neglecting these issues: “But it is also a societal issue where our mindset tends to push things under the carpet, and when that happens, we are helpless. Therefore, we would encourage [societies] to come forward. We are ready to partner with them, we are ready to support any initiative which aims at sensitizing women and children in their need to come forward because we will ensure justice. The law of the land is there.”
Meghalaya’s 24/7 helplines ensure that every distress call is attended to, reflecting the state’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable groups, especially amid national concerns following a recent tragic case in Kolkata.