Government Strengthens Measures Against Trafficking and Exploitation of Women

New Delhi, March 27, 2026: The Central Government has reinforced its commitment to protecting women from trafficking, commercial sexual exploitation, and related offences, highlighting legislative and policy frameworks designed to safeguard women across India. The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 (ITPA) provides legal measures against trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation, penalizing those who facilitate, abet, or profit from such activities. Enforcement of the Act primarily rests with State Governments and Union Territory Administrations, as law and order fall under their jurisdiction.

Under the Mission Shakti Scheme, the Ministry of Women and Child Development has adopted a two-pronged approach-‘Sambal’ for safety and security, and ‘Samarthya’ for women’s empowerment. The Sambal vertical provides integrated services through One Stop Centres (OSCs), offering medical aid, legal assistance, temporary shelter, police facilitation, and psycho-social counselling to women affected by violence or in distress. The Women Helpline-181 and Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112) provide round-the-clock emergency and non-emergency support, linking women to police, hospitals, legal services, and OSCs.

The Samarthya vertical, through Shakti Sadan, provides rehabilitation homes for women in distress, including trafficked women, creating safe environments to help them regain stability. Transparency and accessibility are strengthened via the Mission Shakti Dashboard and mobile application, allowing women to book appointments with nearest OSCs and access details of Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs), Nodal Officers, helplines, and other services.

In addition, the Government has established the Nirbhaya Fund to finance initiatives aimed at women’s safety and security. Projects under the fund include ERSS-112, Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children (CCPWC), Safe City Projects in eight major cities, Women Help Desks in police stations, Anti-Human Trafficking Units, strengthening DNA and cyber forensic labs, and Fast Track Special Courts, including exclusive POCSO courts to expedite cases under the rape and POCSO Acts.

This information was shared by Minister of State for Women and Child Development Smt. Savitri Thakur in the Lok Sabha, underlining the government’s focus on creating a comprehensive safety, rehabilitation, and empowerment framework for women across the country.