Far from being safe havens
Delhi must revamp its shelters for homeless women
The Delhi government-run home for girls in the Nirmal Chhaya Complex is undeniably a ‘house of horror’. On Monday, at least 10 girls of this home accused its staff of molestation, forcibly injecting them with drugs, and beating them if they tried to resist or complain. While what has happened at the shelter is deplorable, this is also an opportunity to focus on the issue of homeless women, who are vulnerable and suffer the worst kinds of violence. Other than security, the other challenge is ensuring access to proper healthcare and sanitation.
Last year, the Delhi government announced the construction of multi-storey shelters with separate rooms for families and floors for women. This is a good move, but the Delhi government must review the recommendations made in a report ‘Shelters for Homeless Women in India’ by the Housing and Land Rights Network and also in the report of a public hearing on violence against homeless women organised by Shahri Adhikar Manch: Begharon Ke Saath Shahri Adhikar Manch. Here are a few suggestions from the report: First, all shelters should have basic services, accessibility, habitability, location, security of tenure, affordability, cultural adequacy, freedom from dispossession, and protection from violence, especially for women. Second, Build recovery homes for women survivors of violence and abuse, working women’s hostels, and special homes for women with mental illness. Third, the State must utilise empty/vacant government buildings and convert these into permanent homes for the homeless. It must build and/or upgrade all shelters with requisite infrastructure of sanitation, clean and potable water, heating and cooling arrangements, vector control, and first aid requirements.
Importantly, homeless residents must get their entitlements – voter cards, ration cards, labour cards, free bus passes, health insurance, and facilities to set up ‘zero balance’ bank accounts. Last but not the least, the State must initiate livelihood training in homeless shelters and in areas where homeless women live. This will help them reconstruct their lives and move ahead.