Gandhinagar: Over the past 10 years, 16,58,892 women have turned to the Abhayam 181 Women Helpline for help in difficult moments. Whether facing domestic violence, harassment, or emotional distress, the helpline has become a steady source of strength, offering protection and reassurance, the Gujarat government said today.

The official statement said, “To ensure timely assistance during moments of distress, 59 rescue vans are operational across the state. Of these, 12 serve Ahmedabad city under the Safe City Project. In emergencies, these vans reach the location with a trained counsellor, offering immediate help and compassionate resolution. So far, 3.31 lakh women have been supported through these rescue vans, with 2.09 lakh cases resolved on the spot. Services such as counselling and on-site intervention have become a lifeline for countless women facing emotional, domestic, or personal crises, offering not just solutions but also a sense of reassurance. To make the service even more accessible, the Abhayam 181 mobile application was launched on August 6, 2018. Since then, over 2.73 lakh women have downloaded the app.”

The statement further said that over the past three years, ₹37.78 crore has been allocated to strengthen and expand the reach of the helpline. In 2022–23, ₹10.50 crore was allocated, followed by ₹12.50 crore in 2023–24, and ₹14.78 crore in 2024–25. For 2025–26, the government has approved a provision of ₹15.02 crore.

A skilled and responsive team has been set up for the Abhayam 181 Women Helpline through the joint efforts of the Women and Child Development Department, Home Department, GVK EMRI (Emergency Management and Research Institute), and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Women facing any kind of crisis can reach out by calling 181, anytime, from anywhere. The helpline offers immediate support for a wide range of issues affecting women, including domestic violence; physical, sexual, and mental harassment; financial exploitation; female foeticide; cybercrimes; marital or relationship conflicts; stalking; substance abuse recovery; child marriage; and concerns faced by homeless women.

Over the past 10 years, the helpline has helped countless women across Gujarat find timely and effective solutions to such challenges.