With the objective of enhancing women’s safety and empowerment, the “Akka Pade” initiative was officially launched under the jurisdiction of Belagavi City Police and Belagavi District Police. The project is a joint initiative of the Karnataka Government’s Women and Child Development Department and the Home Department.
Speaking at the launch in Belagavi on Tuesday, Minister for Women and Child Development Lakshmi Hebbalkar said that Akka Pade units will be established in all taluk headquarters in a phased manner. The event saw the participation of over 600 women, representatives of various organisations and senior police officials.
Under the initiative, one vehicle each has been allotted to the City and District Police. Each Akka Pade unit will include four women Home Guards and function under the supervision of a Police Inspector.
The Akka Pade teams will focus on:
- Preventing harassment, stalking and eve-teasing in public spaces, workplaces, educational institutions and online platforms.
- Identifying offenders through discreet surveillance and initiating legal action.
- Encouraging women to report incidents without hesitation.
- Counselling and reforming minor or first-time offenders where appropriate.
- Conducting awareness and self-defence programmes in schools, colleges and workplaces.
Specialised Training
Team members have undergone training in:
- Gender sensitivity and legal awareness
- Surveillance and field monitoring techniques
- Communication and counselling skills
- Cyber security awareness
- Case documentation and record management
Field-Level Outreach
Akka Pade teams will regularly visit schools, colleges, bus stands, markets and other public places to:
- Spread awareness about laws related to women’s safety
- Educate citizens on cybercrime prevention
- Guide women on complaint mechanisms and available safety systems
- Create awareness about drug abuse and basic road safety
Where necessary, teams may use surveillance equipment, including hidden cameras, to gather evidence in cases of harassment or assault and proceed with legal action.
‘Akka Mahila Sahayavani’ WhatsApp Helpline
A dedicated WhatsApp helpline — 8277951185 — has also been launched to provide online assistance to women and girls.
Services include:
- Legal advice and guidance
- Information on Women and Child Development Department schemes
- Psychological counselling
- Cybercrime-related assistance
Officials stated that the launch of Akka Pade and the Akka Mahila Sahayavani marks a significant move toward improving women’s safety in Belagavi. The initiative aims to ensure both on-ground presence and digital accessibility, creating a safer and more responsive environment for women across the district.