Women, girls should not be afraid to speak up about discrimination: Keralam Home Minister

The Kerala Home Minister urged women and girls not to fear speaking out against discrimination during a press briefing on Monday. Her comments followed the recent launch of a police‑led task force named ‘Speak Up’, designed to address domestic violence and provide survivors with legal aid, counselling and livelihood assistance. The minister highlighted that many cases go unreported because victims lack confidence in the system, and she called for a societal shift that encourages openness.

The ‘Speak Up’ unit operates under the state police department and includes trained officers, social workers and legal advisors who coordinate with NGOs to reach affected families. It offers a 24‑hour helpline, rapid response teams for emergencies, and workshops that teach women about their rights and available resources. By integrating counselling services with job‑training programs, the task force aims to reduce the economic dependence that often traps victims in abusive relationships.

Officials expect the initiative to increase reporting rates and improve the safety of women across Kerala, a state that has historically recorded lower levels of gender‑based violence compared to the national average. For Indian readers, the program serves as a model for other states seeking to strengthen protective mechanisms for vulnerable populations. Continued monitoring will reveal whether the task force can sustain its early momentum and deliver measurable reductions in domestic abuse incidents.