‘Margadarshak’ Launched for the Safety of Women and Children

Hyderabad Police have launched a special guidance initiative titled “Margadarshak” to further strengthen the safety of women, children, and other vulnerable groups in the city. Hyderabad Police Commissioner V. C. Sajjanar formally inaugurated the programme.

The initiative will be implemented through a public–private partnership model . It has been designed to enable collaboration between the police and civil society organisations. The primary objective is to further strengthen the safety of women both in workplaces and in society, Hyderabad Police said in a statement.

The programme will function as a support mechanism to the women’s safety systems already in operation in the city. It will complement existing frameworks such as the Women Safety Wing, She Teams, Bharosa Centres, Legal Services Authorities , and various emergency helplines. Officials said the initiative would help further strengthen the overall ecosystem established for the protection of women.

Speaking on the occasion, Sajjanar said the participation of every member of society is crucial to strengthening women’s safety. Responsible citizens can play an important role in ensuring that victims receive timely and appropriate assistance, he noted. However, he clarified that volunteers working under the initiative should guide victims towards police officials, legal experts, and official support systems, and must not take the law into their own hands.

Officials said the main objective of the “Margadarshak” programme is to reduce the gap between individuals facing problems and official institutions. In cases of serious crimes, action will continue to be taken through existing legal procedures. However, many women facing harassment, threats, family issues, stalking, workplace pressure, or personal relationship problems often hesitate to approach authorities due to fear, social stigma, or lack of awareness about legal remedies.

To address this issue, the programme introduces the concept of trained community volunteers called “Margadarshaks.” These volunteers will provide initial guidance to victims and direct them to the appropriate institutions, including the police department, legal aid services, counselling facilities, and emergency response systems.

They will also play a key role in spreading awareness among the public about women’s safety measures, relevant laws, cyber safety, and available helplines. Encouraging victims to come forward and report issues before they escalate into serious incidents will also be part of their responsibility. Police said the programme aims to make assistance more accessible by connecting victims with the appropriate official institutions.