The High Commission of India (HCI) in Singapore has opened a One Stop Centre (OSC) dedicated to assisting female Indian nationals in distress, marking a major step in extending India’s women-centric welfare initiatives overseas.
The Centre – part of the Government of India’s Sakhi One Stop Centre scheme – will offer integrated support services including legal aid, medical assistance, psychological counselling, temporary shelter, and emergency response for women facing physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, or economic abuse.
High Commissioner Shilpak Ambule described the launch as “a comprehensive support system to assist Indian women in distress, ensuring timely and compassionate help”.
He added that the initiative would extend assistance to cover legal, medical, and other essential expenses for women requiring urgent support.
Located within the High Commission’s premises, the OSC is exclusively open to Indian women holding Indian citizenship.
It aims to create a safe, accessible environment where women can seek help without stigma or delay.
A dedicated 24x7 helpline (+65 8716 5521) and email (osc.singapore@mea.gov.in) will provide round-the-clock access to assistance.
Bihar Association Singapore President Shiwani Khirwal welcomed the move, calling it “a truly thoughtful initiative by HCI, dedicated to supporting Indian women in difficult times.
By bringing legal, medical, and emotional support together, it ensures that help is accessible when it’s needed most.”
The initiative is supported by India’s Ministry of External Affairs and funded through the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF). Similar centres have been launched in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Toronto, Canada.
Veteran theatre personality Gauri Gupta said: “In my 25 years in Singapore, I’ve seen many Indian women trapped in abusive marriages with little support.
“The OSC is a wise and compassionate step that will help every beti (daughter) of Bharat feel safer, supported, and truly seen.”
By integrating emergency care, counselling, and legal guidance under one roof, the One Stop Centre aims to empower women, reaffirming India’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad and promoting gender equality through action and compassion.
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11 Dec 2025 10:42
