New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh's Mission Shakti has grown from an initial Navratri-linked awareness campaign launched in October 2020 into a comprehensive state-wide programme spanning police stations, public spaces, educational institutions, urban areas, and villages. The initiative focuses on enhancing women's safety, dignity, and empowerment through proactive policing, public outreach, and streamlined access to essential support services.
The programme integrates law enforcement with legal assistance, awareness campaigns, and structured measures designed to promote women's education, health, and economic independence. Key components of the network include Anti-Romeo Squads, Pink Booths, dedicated Mission Shakti Centres, women beat officers, and the Women Power Line 1090 helpline. To further amplify public engagement, the state has planned cultural events and programmes at multiple temples and sacred sites during festive periods.
Originally launched on October 17, 2020, to coincide with the first day of Sharadiya Navratri, the campaign initially brought together 23 government departments, ranging from basic and secondary education to micro, small, and medium enterprises. Planned as a multi-objective initiative targeting safety, dignity, and self-reliance, it sought to increase legal awareness, improve support access, and connect women with opportunities in healthcare, skills development, and livelihoods.
Over successive phases, the state has embedded several policing and community outreach efforts to make assistance more reachable. Anti-Romeo Squads focus on curbing harassment in public areas, with authorities directing continuous monitoring in markets and educational institutions. Pink Booths, originally concentrated in Lucknow, have been ordered for expansion across municipal corporation cities to offer accessible complaint registration, counselling, and legal advice.
Additionally, the deployment of women beat officers covers tens of thousands of gram panchayats and urban wards, bolstering local community engagement. Mission Shakti Centres established across numerous police stations provide localized contact points for assistance, while priority handling is mandated for calls received through the Women Power Line 1090 helpline.
The fifth phase of the campaign, initiated in late September 2025, demonstrated significant enforcement activity during its opening month, resulting in thousands of registered first information reports and arrests for anti-social behavior, alongside widespread counseling and community outreach events. By blending religious gatherings, cultural outreach, and administrative infrastructure, Uttar Pradesh continues to utilize Mission Shakti as its primary umbrella framework for advancing women's safety and empowerment.