Union Minister of Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, on Tuesday inaugurated 227 new Gender Resource Centres (GRCs) across 13 states, designed to provide survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) with safe spaces, access to vital information, legal support, and a network to report incidents.

The opening of the centres is part of the third edition of the Nayi Chetna – Pahal Badlaav Ki campaign launched here by the Minister with an aim to raise awareness about all forms of GBV, encourage communities to speak out and demand action, provide timely assistance through support systems, and empower local institutions to take decisive actions against violence.

During his address, Chouhan emphasised that the government has undertaken multiple initiatives for the social and economic development of women, stressing that GBV is prevalent not only in rural areas but also in urban spaces, said a statement here.

Annpurna Devi, Union Minister of Women and Child Development, launched the #abkoibahananahi campaign, which calls for collective action against GBV. She highlighted the role of 10 crore Self-Help Group (SHG) women and the 49 government schemes dedicated to supporting gender equality. These include 24/7 national help lines, One-Stop Centres, and initiatives for fast-track justice. Smt. Devi emphasized that GBV must be eradicated, and all women should have equal opportunities for participation in economic, social, and political spheres.

Other leaders, including Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State for Rural Development, and Shri Kamlesh Paswan, Minister of State for Rural Development, highlighted the importance of a whole-of-society approach to end gender-based violence.

Shailesh Kumar Singh, Secretary of Rural Development, shared insights from the previous Nayi Chetna 2.0 campaign, which reached over 6 crore individuals through more than 9 lakh community-led activities. The event also saw participation from various ministries, state rural livelihoods missions, women from SHGs, Anganwadi workers, and civil society organizations.

Building on this success, the month-long Nayi Chetna 3.0 focuses on the theme 'Ek Saath Ek Awaaz - Hinsa Ke Khilaf', encouraging collective action against violence, fostering safe and inclusive spaces, and breaking the barriers of inequality, the statement added.

The campaign is being organised by the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) under the Union Ministry of Rural Development. It is a nationwide effort involving SHGs across India and aims to create a Jan Andolan for gender justice.

At the event, three gender champions from Jharkhand, Puducherry, and Madhya Pradesh shared their personal journeys, moving from being victims of gender-based violence to becoming leaders in the fight against it.