Vidya Joshi’s day often begins in the stillness of dawn at 6 am. While the world sleeps, she and her husband are already in action, preparing for the day ahead. As Vidya cooks food for the family, her husband gets the children ready for school. Her life is marked by dual responsibilities: a dedicated mother and a resolute champion for survivors of gender-based violence.

Amidst the morning rush, her 14-year-old daughter, Gargi, asks hopefully, “Will you be home early to shop for my school’s annual function dress?” Vidya nods, not wanting to disappoint Gargi, even though she knows another busy day awaits her at the One Stop Centre (OSC) in Sikar, Rajasthan.

Technically, it’s a 24x7 job

Vidya arrives at the office at 10 in the morning. The OSC, a safe space for survivors of gender-based violence, is her second home. Behind the grilled gates is a team of dedicated professionals working tirelessly to provide shelter, counselling, compassionate care, and medico-legal aid to survivors. Vidya, the Centre Administrator and the backbone of OSC’s operations, is always on call.

“Our work is divided to ensure no one is left unattended, day or night,” Vidya explains. “But emergencies can arise anytime, and I must be available.” The demands of her role are immense. ‘Technically, it’s a 24x7 job,’ she states.

Her day begins with a visit from a young woman who comes to the centre with her baby and her mother. The mother points to her daughter and explains, “Her husband is constantly harassing her for dowry.” Vidya listens patiently and asks the counsellor to record the young woman’s statement, who remains quiet throughout.

Just as Vidya begins to get up, she hears a 16-year-old girl sobbing, while her newborn sleeps peacefully. Vidya sits beside her, wrapping her arms around the teenager’s frail body. The girl doesn’t want to go back home. Her statement is scheduled for 12 noon, and it is already 11. This statement will be recorded by the magistrate under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code, a legal provision for recording confessions during an investigation. Thankfully, Madhu, the legal counsellor, is arriving any minute to take the girl before the magistrate. This crucial step will pave the way for the girl to receive the support she needs to seek legal justice.

Vidya’s ability to lead the centre with empathy and precision has been strengthened by UNFPA’s training. Workshops on counselling skills, GBV case management, mental health & psychosocial support services, and relevant legislations have equipped her with essential tools to provide survivor-centred care in her work.

While she holds the young mother’s hand, her phone begins buzzing. Another young girl’s nervous voice trembles over the phone. ‘He keeps harassing me,’ she pleads, ‘threatening to post my pictures online. Please, call him at this number and stop him before he does it.’

Vidya, listening on the 181 helpline, assures her that she will talk to the boy. This toll-free lifeline has become a source of support for women and girls facing gender-based violence.

“Cybercrime-related cases are also on the rise,” Vidya shares. The centre has encountered numerous cases where boys threaten to leak sensitive pictures on social media if the girl decides to end the relationship.

With the support of the police, health department, and Department of Women and Child Development, Vidya’s OSC successfully navigates such complex challenges, empowering survivors to rebuild their lives. Recognized as one of the best-performing centres in the 2021 WHO-instituted violence against women (VAW) institutional survey, her OSC is a testament to her exceptional leadership.

As she speaks, Vidya’s phone rings again. It is Gargi, disappointed about the unfulfilled shopping promise. Vidya assures her they will go the next day. Sighing, she wonders, “How do I explain this to her?”

Her phone call to the boy, who has threatened the girl with online abuse, is still pending—a reminder of unfinished business…

Vidya’s life is a constant balancing act. She’s a hero at home and at work, navigating household responsibilities and complex legal and emotional challenges. Her story is a reflection of the extraordinary women who dedicate their lives to making a difference

From the original documentation by Malini Subramaniam