India to Establish Nine One-Stop Centres Abroad for Women

In November, 2024, the Ministry of Women and Child Development approved a Ministry of External Affairs proposal to establish nine One-Stop Centres (OSCs) for women facing distress abroad.

Key Points

Shelter-Inclusive OSCs: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia (Jeddah & Riyadh).
Non-Shelter OSCs: Toronto and Singapore.
Funding Mechanism: A dedicated budget line has been created by the Ministry of External Affairs for these initiatives, with support from the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF).
ICWF Role and Guidelines: Special provisions for Indian women abandoned by overseas spouses: legal aid and counseling.
Legal and Welfare Support: Dedicated legal panels have been formed in countries with significant Indian diasporas to offer timely legal aid.