Rayees Masroor,
In the quiet corners of India, where whispers of domestic violence and abuse against women often fade into silence, One Stop Centres (OSCs) have emerged as a lifeline—a bold, compassionate response to an age-old crisis. Launched under the aegis of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, these centres are not just brick-and-mortar establishments; they are sanctuaries offering an integrated bouquet of services—legal aid, psychological counselling, police assistance, medical support, and temporary shelter—all under one roof. More than a helpline, OSCs are a mission to restore dignity, rebuild lives, and rekindle hope. In the rugged terrain of Kupwara, Kashmir, the OSC stands tall as a testament to this transformative vision, quietly scripting stories of resilience and redemption.
The numbers paint a grim picture. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), India recorded 4,05,861 cases of crimes against women in 2022 alone, with domestic violence forming a significant chunk. Yet, beyond the statistics lie countless untold tales of suffering—women abandoned, betrayed, or battered, often with nowhere to turn. This is where OSCs step in, bridging the gap between despair and deliverance. In Kupwara, a district nestled in the shadow of militancy and tradition, the centre has become a ray of light for women caught in the crosshairs of societal neglect and personal trauma.
Take the story of *Rehana* (name changed), a 32-year-old from a remote village in Kupwara. For six years, she endured relentless abuse at the hands of her alcoholic husband, who abandoned her and their two children in 2020. Left to fend for herself, Rehana sought refuge with her ageing parents, her pleas for maintenance ignored despite a court order. It was in 2023 that she stumbled upon OSC Kupwara. “I had lost all hope,” she recalls, her voice trembling. The centre didn’t just listen—it acted. Through multiple counselling sessions, the OSC team persuaded her husband to confront his responsibilities. Today, Rehana is back with her family, her husband reformed, and her children hopeful—a reunion made possible by persistent mediation and empathy.
Then there’s *Saima* (name changed), a young mother who reached out to the centre from halfway across the world. Married at 19, she was abandoned by her husband who migrated abroad, leaving her and their infant daughter in limbo. For five years, she struggled alone, until a desperate online plea brought her to OSC Kupwara in 2024. Despite the distance, the team counselled her over countless phone calls, patiently piecing together her shattered confidence. When her husband returned to India last month, the centre facilitated a face-to-face meeting. What followed was not just a conversation but a catharsis—tears, apologies, and a tentative promise to rebuild. “They gave me my voice back,” Saima says, her eyes gleaming with gratitude.
The OSC’s reach extends beyond reconciliation to justice. Consider the case of *Amina* (name changed), a single mother from Handwara, duped by a man who promised marriage only to vanish when she bore his child. Ostracised by her community and burdened by shame, Amina approached the centre in early 2025. The accused, initially defiant, was brought to the table with police support and OSC’s unrelenting follow-ups. After intense counselling, he agreed to marry her under Muslim Shariah law, granting Amina and her toddler a new lease of life. “I thought my story was over,” she says. “But they showed me it was just beginning.”
These are not isolated victories. Since its inception in 2015, the OSC scheme has expanded to over 700 centres nationwide, assisting more than 7 lakh women by 2024, as per government data. In Kupwara alone, the centre has handled over 300 cases since 2020, ranging from dowry harassment to marital discord. What sets OSCs apart is their ethos—every woman is heard, every story matters. In a region where patriarchal norms often stifle female agency, this is revolutionary.
Yet, challenges remain. Underfunding, staff shortages, and lack of awareness hinder the OSC’s full potential, especially in rural pockets like Kupwara. But for every woman who walks through its doors, the centre is more than a government initiative—it’s a lifeline. It blends legal muscle with human warmth, offering not just solutions but solace. In a nation still grappling with gender-based violence—where a woman is assaulted every three minutes, per NCRB—One Stop Centres are not just helpful; they are indispensable. For the likes of Rehana, Saima, and Amina, they are nothing short of a miracle—a place where broken lives are mended, one story at a time.
(Note: Rayees Masroor is an independent columnist and academician. He can be reached at rayeesmasroor111@gmail.com)
