https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Women Safety in Telangana: Unleashing SHE Teams

Under the able guidance of IPS Officer Swati Lakra, Telangana is providing a safe environment for women by taking up one of its kind initiatives in the state. The unique SHE teams ensures their safety day and night.
Indian Masterminds Stories

After India saw some of the most horrified crimes committed against women, women safety has become one of the top most priority in India. While the Centre as well as the state governments are taking up several steps to ensure women safety, Telangana Police Women Safety Wing (TSWSW), headed by IPS officer Swati Lakra, has done an excellent job in making a safe environment for the women of the state.

1995-batch IPS, Ms. Lakra who is posted as the Additional Director General of Police Women Safety, is spearheading the operations of appropriately titled `SHE Teams’ in Telgangana.

In an exclusive interview with Indian Masterminds, Ms. Lakra discussed about this unique operation and how it’s successfully reaching out to the women.

“The Women’s Safety Wing has several modules that cover a 360-degree perspective of safety and security of women and children in the state. In this we have taken up various initiatives which are thoroughly monitored from the head office of the Wing.”, said Ms. Lakra. 

SHE TEAMS

The first initiative which turned out to be a success was the SHE Teams. Launched in 2014 by the Chief Minister of Telangana, the initiative focused on the providing safety to the women on the streets.

Speaking about the initiative, Ms. Lakhra said “Such type of a team was started for the first time in the country. The main steps taken by the team is providing safety to women on the streets, from cybercrime, cyber harassment and even harassment over phone, social media, etc.”

The committee heading SHE teams

Each team consists of five people of which atleast one police personnel is a woman, to make the complainant feel comfortable. The team is headed by a Deputy S.P rank officer, along with an Inspector of Police, two Police Constables, and one Women Constable to co-ordinate with unit SHE Teams for tackling offenses across the state.

HOW DOES SHE TEAM OPERATE?

Said Ms Lakra, “The team operates in two ways. One is by going into the community incognito, along with discreet cameras to record the happening in the community. They stay, observe and then nab the offenders. Dressed up as civilians, nobody in the community gets to know about the SHE team members. This also give a kind of deterrence to the people as anybody can be a member of the team.”

“Secondly, a SHE team operates through complaints. We have provided many platforms through which the complainant can reach out to the SHE teams. First is the SHE teams offices which are located in a non-police station area. Second is through WhatsApp in which a separate number has been distributed in every district, and for the head office as well. There are some other platforms also such as Hawk Eye mobile application, email and social media.”

Launching WhatsApp number to file complaints

In the year 2019-20, a total of 10,833 complaints were received by SHE teams through various modes; 8152 respondents were dealt with;13255 Awareness Programs were conducted, and 25,476 hot spots covered by SHE teams as part of their work including.

TRAINING

As of 31 December 2020, there are a total of 341 SHE teams in the state. All the team members are trained before they are told to operate as per the SOP. Ms. Lakra also mentioned that they are very particular in training the team members about gender sensitization. Every member is taught how to speak to a petitioner and take their complaint without judging or questioning them.

Awareness among students

SHE also focusses on evidence and its importance. Ms lakra said “We work absolutely as per the evidence before taking up any complaint from a woman. With the use of CCTV camera footages, and other evidence against the accused, we decide if the complaint should be taken up or not.”

The wing has also roped in psychologists to counsel the boys, men, or minors who have been nabbed and warned by the SHE teams.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Bihar Elections 2025: CEC Gyanesh Kumar Addresses 5 Key Issues - SIR, Fake Voting, Freebies & More
BSNL
BSNL Surpasses Airtel in Mobile Subscriber Growth After Nearly a Year; Jio Leads with 19 Lakh Additions in August
NTPC_Tapovan Donates_Ambulance_
NTPC Hands Over ₹30 Lakh Advanced Life Support Ambulance to Chamoli District Hospital to Boost Emergency Healthcare
NTPC_Barauni_signed_agreement_
NTPC Barauni to Install 89 High-Mast Lights Across Begusarai to Boost Safety and Community Development
BPCL_bags_Excellence_Awards_
BPCL Wins Top Honours for City Gas Distribution and Customer Service at 19th PNGRB Foundation Day
Allahabad high court
SC Collegium Approves Appointment of Vinai Kumar Dwivedi as Judge of Allahabad High Court
JK Cement Health Camp Panna
Free Health Camp Organised for Forest Personnel During Wildlife Week 2025 by South Panna Forest Division
REC Mobile Medical Units
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav Flags Off REC’s ₹5.71 Cr Mobile Medical Units to Boost Rural Healthcare in Rajasthan
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IDES Saquib Alam
UPSC Strategy & Mindset Tips from IDES Officer Saquib Alam | Video Interview 
Dr G K Goswami IPS
Everything you ever wanted to know about e-murder, e-dacoity and data safety
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Ravikant Meena on IFS Preparation, Optionals, and Life in Forest Service
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IDES Saquib Alam
UPSC Strategy & Mindset Tips from IDES Officer Saquib Alam | Video Interview 
Discover how IDES officer Saquib Alam left his corporate job at Mahindra, overcame six UPSC attempts,...
Utkarsh Ujjwal IAS
IAS Utkarsh Ujjwal Shares Key Advice for UPSC Aspirants: Work Ethic, Failure, and Focus
Read the inspiring journey of IAS Utkarsh Ujjwal, 2023 batch, Gujarat cadre. From IIT Guwahati to clearing...
Sagar Datta Majumdar UPSC CSE 2024 AIR 317
“Don’t get trapped in the vicious cycle of self-doubt,” says UPSC Achiever Sagar Datta Majumdar
Discover how Sagar Datta Majumdar from Agartala, Tripura, cracked UPSC CSE 2024 with All India Rank 317....
Social Media
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Bihar Elections 2025: CEC Gyanesh Kumar Addresses 5 Key Issues - SIR, Fake Voting, Freebies & More
BSNL
BSNL Surpasses Airtel in Mobile Subscriber Growth After Nearly a Year; Jio Leads with 19 Lakh Additions in August
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IDES Saquib Alam
Dr G K Goswami IPS
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT