Ahimsa Messenger Programme was launched by Sonia Gandhi

UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi launched Ahimsa Messenger Programme- an initiative to curb violence against women on 31 August 2013 at New Delhi.

Ahimsa Messenger is the initiative of the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development to address the violence against women in all forms through a mass movement by creating numerous Ahimsa Messengers in various parts of the country.

The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development has conceptualised this programme for empowering women against violence named Ahimsa Messenger.

About Ahimsa Messenger Programme

1.The Ahimsa Messenger programme aims at preventing violence against women and children and generating awareness about basic legal rights, procedures and provisions amongst women and children at the grassroots.
 
2.The programme involves both men and women including youths to address and eliminate all forms of violence against women and children at grassroots and facilitate social or community mobilization to fight social evils.

3.Ahimsa Messengers would also serve as link workers in case of any violence and also facilitate the women to approach the concerned authorities in case of incidences of violence for suitable redressal and follow up on the case.

4.The programme envisages generating awareness amongst the community and giving intensive training to the various cadres of grass root level workers under various programmes across the country, besides generating awareness amongst the community especially adolescent girls and boys about their civic responsibilities and duties.

5.The Ahimsa messengers will facilitate an enabling environment for safety and security of women and children in the community. They will also create women and child friendly environment in villages through community participation, especially of local leaders, adolescent boys and men, opinion makers, village elders etc.

6.This programme will be implemented through all Anganwadi Centres, all Panchayati Raj Institutions, Sabla Girls (in the age group of 16-18 years) and Poorna Shakti Kendras (PSK) coordinators under the National Mission for Empowerment of Women (NMEW) will be trained as Ahimsa Messengers.