DELHI’S women helpline 181 received over 2.41 lakh calls between July and November 2024, addressing a wide range of issues from eve-teasing and cyber fraud in matrimonial scams to disputes over metro seat reservations and altercations with auto drivers. Previously managed by the Delhi Commission for Women, the helpline was taken over by the Women and Child Development (WCD) Department on July 2, 2024. Within the first two days of the transition, the helpline recorded 1,024 calls, marking a sharp increase in public engagement.

 

Data shows that during this four-month period, 90,414 callswere categorised as hoax, 2,091as follow-ups, 29,277 as general inquiries,2,096 asnuisance calls, and 260 as abusive calls. Common complaints included issues like eve-teasing, disputeswith auto drivers and conflictsover metro seat reservations. Outof the totalcalls, 8,560cases were formally registered, of which 146 have been resolved, while the remaining cases arestill under investigation. The complaints are primarily regarding domestic violence, sexual harassment, cyber fraud and physical abuse. An official highlighted that the surge in calls reflects a growing public awareness of safety issues. “We often receive calls about aman occupying a women’sreserved seat in the metro, verbal abuse by auto drivers,or inappropriate comments from strangers. Women are seeking information about the help available to them,” the official stated.