A capacity-building workshop aimed at strengthening the response to crimes against women was organised by the State Hub for Empowerment of Women (SHEW) under the Directorate of Social Welfare on October 17. The session brought together officials from the One Stop Centre (OSC), Women Helpline (WHL), non-governmental organisations, and social leaders to deepen their understanding of women’s safety, legal rights, and gender sensitivity.
The training programme was part of SHEW’s ongoing efforts to promote coordinated action among government institutions and civil society in addressing violence and discrimination against women. It focused on equipping field workers and service providers with the knowledge and practical tools needed to respond effectively to cases of abuse and exploitation.
The opening session was conducted by Suparna Biswas, Advocate from the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), who outlined the legal frameworks and provisions designed to protect women from various forms of violence. Participants were briefed on existing laws related to domestic violence, sexual harassment, and trafficking, and discussed the importance of ensuring access to justice and support services for victims.
During the subsequent session, SI Agnes Bartholoma from the Women Cell, PS Ograbranj, spoke about the crucial role of awareness and timely action in empowering women and creating safer communities. She stressed that every trained officer serves as a potential catalyst for change and that sensitivity in handling cases often determines the quality of justice delivered.
The workshop also included an interactive session led by Rakshanda Dubey, Clinical Psychologist from the Directorate of Health Services, who conducted exercises on counselling and communication skills. Participants were trained to manage emotional trauma in survivors and to use empathetic communication as a tool for building trust during intervention. The session underscored the psychological dimensions of violence, urging field workers to combine procedural efficiency with compassion.
Hemlatha, Gender Specialist at SHEW, guided the final session, which centred on gender sensitization and the need to challenge stereotypes that perpetuate inequality. She encouraged the participants to adopt inclusive approaches in their daily work and emphasised that addressing gender bias is essential to achieving long-term social change.
The programme concluded with an interactive discussion, where participants shared their field experiences and challenges in responding to gender-based crimes in rural and urban settings. The exchange of experiences allowed different agencies to identify practical solutions and strengthen inter-departmental collaboration.
Officials from SHEW highlighted that continuous training is vital to improving the capacity of institutions that deal with women’s safety, especially given the evolving nature of crimes such as cyber harassment and online abuse. The workshop also sought to ensure that front-line workers are better prepared to handle sensitive cases involving survivors of violence and to connect them with counselling, shelter, and legal aid.
The capacity-building initiative reflects the administration’s broader commitment to creating safer spaces for women in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Through regular workshops and awareness drives, SHEW aims to build a trained network of professionals capable of responding quickly and sensitively to any form of gender-based violence.
The event served as a reminder that empowerment begins with awareness and that building the capacity of those working on the front lines remains a cornerstone of women’s protection and welfare efforts in the Islands.
