Nirbhaya Helpline

Launched in 2014, the toll free Nirbhaya HelpLine has been aimed at empowering girls and women of Rajasthan facing gender-based violence. Under this project, a toll free NIRBHAYA helpline 18 001 200 020 was launched to assist women and girls by providing services directly to survivors of violence with a focus on domestic violence, sexual abuse, harassment, rape, and acid attacks or through providing referrals to other agencies. This HelpLine provides easy access to counsellors, who would be able to help them in resolving their issues.

During lockdown due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the numbers of women affected by violence have gravely increased since women were confined in their homes with abusive partners or families. Loss of income, isolation, alcohol, or drug dependency with constricted knowledge of gender norms are few of the underlying issues that factored the violent surroundings. During the pandemic, the domestic violence cases have doubled from 161 in April to 397 in May 2021.

This has prompted us to promote the Nirbhaya helpline to the Sambhali Nirbhaya project. As part of a Crisis Management Team we aim to provide knowledge of legal rights and services available to survivors; connect them with our in-house psychologist to offer counseling and emotional support as well as with the medical team in and around the city. We also help with finding rehabilitation centres for women who are affected due to violence. Sambhali also provides vocational training to help with further education and help provide the opportunity for an independent income.

Sambhali also aims to provide educational awareness through workshops and publicity material to provide information on gender-based violence, how to access help and support, and knowledge of their legal rights.

 SOS Helpline

Sambhali aims to provide an Emergency Medical and Legal Support Service which helps women (and their families) throughout Rajasthan, who are unable to afford emergency medical treatment or legal representation.

Through the Emergency Provision Fund, we aim to provide emergency support in cases of critical need; this may cover emergency medical care, diagnosis, emergency medication, ambulance transport, emergency shelter accommodation and other similar critical expenses. The aim is to provide critical needs assistance and once the situation has stabilised the person is transferred if necessary to Government services or other suitable organisations operating in Jodhpur. This would include medical conditions such as tuberculosis and long-term medical treatments such as kidney dialyses and HIV medication which Sambhali would provide for in the short-term (up to 3 months treatment) after which another organisation providing these same facilities and treatments would need to be found in Jodhpur, (Government hospitals/clinics or NGOs).

The Legal Support Fund would be available to pay for legal costs in matters of divorce, for those suffering from or at risk of domestic abuse, forced marriage and similar situations, who are unable to afford to pay for legal expenses.

Garima (LGBTQIA+ Rights)

Project Garima (Dignity), under which our Office in Jodhpur offers a safe drop-in centre for the Members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

This pilot project organises professional support for the members who suffer physical, mental and financial abuse so that they can combat their vulnerable situation.

Through professionals we try to help members create a strong and trustworthy network. Our office offers a safe heaven where the members can spend some time to learn about their rights, about their emotional well-being and find guidance and long-term dedicated support from our experts.

The idea is to sensitize and build a bridge between the LGBTQIA+ community and the mainstream society. With workshops we try to build self-esteem, build confidence, unite the members and make them independent individuals who are able to make their own decisions.

Sambhali Garima Project's foundation is laid on trust, faith, hope, kindness, gratitude, love and affection. Garmia provides ear to hear and heart to understand the members.

At our weekly Sunday meetup members of the LGBTQIA+ community and members from the mainstream society join in to break the barriers and share each other's experiences and unite for human rights, talk about gender stereotype, about their emotional and physical health, talk about HIV and STDs, attend recreational activities, discussing about cyber crime, law and youth affairs.

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