Kerala to form 'Nirbhaya' groups to help women, children

Seeking to prevent atrocities against women and children, Kerala government has drawn up a plan to form "Nirbhaya" women volunteer groups at panchayat level.
The volunteer groups are formed as part of the "Nirbhaya Keralam, Surakshitha Keralam" programme, being implemented by the state Home Department.
It will be a continuation of the Union Government's much touted 'Nirbhaya' programme. Congress President Sonia Gandhi would officially launch the programme in Kochi on Saturday.
The 'Nirbhaya' volunteers will be selected with the support of groups like "Kudumbasree", a women oriented community based poverty eradication mission of Kerala government and "Janasree", a rural development programme for economically weak and socially backward people, various NGOs and other pro-women organisations, official sources said.

They will be provided training under the state police and equipped with mobile phones and other gadgets. The volunteers will visit the house where women are staying alone in their respective localities and keep a constant contact with them.
They will also take special care of widows and old people who lead a lonely life, the sources said.
The 'Nirbhaya' volunteers will help them get the support of police during the time of emergencies. A total of Rs 7.5 crore has been outlayed for the women-friendly programme in the last state budget.