Bihar to Expand One Stop Centers to Support Women Facing Violence

Patna: The Bihar government has decided to expand the number of One Stop Centers (OSCs) to provide quicker assistance to women facing violence. As part of the initiative, a public awareness campaign is being run in one panchayat per district every week to ensure rural women are informed about the support available.

Currently, 39 OSCs are operational across Bihar, having provided assistance to 4,402 women so far. These centers offer free medical, legal, and counseling services, along with short-term stay facilities of up to five days, extendable to 10 days in special circumstances. The government aims to increase their reach, particularly in rural areas, to ensure that women no longer have to struggle to access justice and support.

Each OSC is staffed with a paramedic to provide immediate first aid, alongside legal and police assistance to help women navigate their options effectively. Senior officials from the Social Welfare Department have confirmed that plans are underway to expand these centers to all districts and beyond, with concrete steps being taken to implement this initiative.