WDC Bihar

Responding to issues of violence against women is difficult because of the mindsets, biases and non-co-operative societal attitudes towards this issue. The cases of atrocities on women are seldom reported because people fear that it would only bring dishonor to the family. In situations where the matter gets reported, the possibility of getting justice remains dismal. This is because, like other forms of oppression VAW is also a systemic violation of women’s rights and dignity. With patriarchal values pervading all the spheres, walks and systems of the society, women end up being sidelined and marginalized. Considering the exigency to respond to such issues, the MNSY has provision of Women Helpline for each District in Bihar. It is a physical set up within the system of the government, which is committed to respond to the critical needs of the victims of violence.

HELPLINE under takes this challenge by making believes that:

• Woman is as much an individual as man is.

• There is no justification of violating her dignity and rights, through whatever means and under whatever circumstances.

• Human rights for all.

• Society has responsibility to protect its members.

• There are people in society who want to make a difference in whatever way possible big or small

Staff structure:- Project Manager, counsellor, lawyers, support staff

The First Women HELPLINE was established in Patna in September 1999 as a crisis intervention center for women in distress. At present, Women Helplines are functional in all 38 Districts of state.

The problems and needs of women are numerous; however Women HELPLINE restricts itself to the issues of violence against women as its area of intervention. While Women HELPLINE is focusing on the issues of VAW, the long-term objective of Women HELPLINE is to establish a supportive network which can respond to every need of women by using the potential available within the system itself.

Women HELPLINE is committed to respond to the needs of the victimized women in every manner possible. The Women HELPLINE scheme is to respond to both practical and strategic needs of the issue at hand. It is to be understood that our ultimate goal is to realize a gender-just and violence free society. The goals and objectives of the Women HELPLINE can be summarized as

• Crisis intervention in case of atrocities on women. assist women in seeking justice and help from the society.

• Activate the system to respond to the issues of violence against women.

• Working towards deinstitutionalization of violence.

• Strengthening a network of support systems for women in need of help.

•  Sensitizing and influencing the policy makers on gender aspects of policies, laws and other related documents concerning women.

• To broaden the base of Women HELPLINE and facilitating its replication throughout the state.

 

Keeping these objectives in mind the Women HELPLINE is working on two levels i.e. provision of direct basic services to women in need and working towards the ideological shift in the favour of a gender-just society.

At present, Women Help Lines are functional in 38 districts under the overall supervision of District Magistrate.

2.2 Short Stay Homes

To combat such assault on women, the WDC has supported the establishment of Short Stay Homes at district headquarters where women who are victims of any abuse can take shelter. The principle thrust here is reintegrating the woman with her family. Counseling is given to the women, her husband and family members’ Psychiatric help may be given in case of need.  Family integrity is given priority. To run this service, the local NGOs have engaged the services of a rehabilitation-cum-training officer and support staff who stay in the home and are available 24x7. Psychologists, psychiatrists and doctors are available on call. Lawyers are available for free legal advice and service. Under the protection of a caring and compassionate environment, such a woman can start rebuilding her shattered life.

 

• With the help of nutritious food, rest and congenial company she should be supported to forget the torment of her past and regain her equilibrium.

 

• Through free medical and psychiatric services offered by the Home she can recoup her physical and mental health.

 

• She can get training and acquire skills, thereby getting equipped for employment, so that in due course she becomes self-sufficient and confident in every way and empowered to surge ahead in life independently and with dignity and self respect.

Staff structure:- Rehabilitation cum training officer, counsellor, Doctor, support staffs.

At present, 24 Short Stay Homes are functional out of 38 district headquarters.

 

2.3 Working Women Hostel:

Under MNSY it has been planned to establish Working Women Hostels in the 5 divisions of the state i.e r to provide safe and suitable accommodation to working women, unmarried women, widow, divorced and separated women. WDC will provide financial Assistance for rent of Hostel Building for Working Women with Day Care Centre for children. The scheme was launched in Dec, 2013. Presently Working Women Hostel, Patna in functional under direct control of WDC in a hired premises. To be expanded in four more districts.

 

2.4 Protection Home:

Under MNSY it is planned to provide shelter homes for women in difficult circumstances; this would include trafficked women/girls rescued or runaway from brothels or other places or women/girl victims of sexual offence, who are disowned by families or who do not want to go back to respective family for various reasons. Presently one Protection Home with 50 beds facility is functional at Patna through Manav Seva Ashram:

• To provide primary need of shelter, food, clothing and care to the marginalized women/girls living in difficult circumstances who are without any social and economic support;

• To provide emotional support and counselling to such women;

• To rehabilitate them socially and economically through education, awareness, skill up gradation and personality development through behavioural training etc;

• To arrange for specific clinical, legal and other support for women/girls in need of those interventions by linking and networking with other organizations in both Government and non-Government sectors on case to case basis.

 Staff structure:- Superintendent, Supervisor, Medical officer, Vocational trainer, counsellor, support staffs.

 

2.5 Social Awareness Programme:

In order to sensitize the stakeholders and create mass awareness at the community level; awareness campaigns and training programme are organized on a regular basis. Use of Folk Media, Documentary Films, Posters and Banners will be used as effective medium of the campaign. The Social Awareness Programme of WDC is aimed at dealing with the eradication of various social evils such as dowry system, child marriage, dayan (witchcraft), sexual harassment at work place, trafficking, female foeticide, women’s social & economic rights, drug addiction and atrocities on women. It is also proposed that local folk teams and special groups such as Nat (Nomad), Beggars, Destitutes are being trained and developed to sustain the process of awareness generation.

Mass awareness through:

• Intensive Village level awareness generation

• Mass interaction in BCC approach

• Learning consolidation

• Mobilization of Service Providers responsible to address legal issues

• Sustainable community owned awareness structure