Harshini Brahmavar
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (MS)

Udupi, Mar 7: While the world celebrates International Women's Day, there are several sick and destitute women frequently seen loitering around the city bus stand, old buildings and main roads of the city, with nowhere to go and no one to take care of them. Their sight makes one wonder if they have protection and rehabilitation facilities in the district.

Most of the public does not even bother to look at the destitute women on the roads. There are also rumours that such women are being sexually exploited in the city. Only a handful of people come to the rescue of these women and inform the police or hospital if required.

The district government hospital, which is very old, has separate wards for men and women. But there are no separate rooms within the huge ward. Excepting some emergency cases, all people from kids to elderly people are kept in the same ward, including mentally ill people.

Social workers and good samaritans from the public get the mentally ill persons admitted to the district government hospital and get on with their life. Some of the mentally ill patients can be handled. However, others behave in such a manner that it is difficult to control them. It is not easy to take care of such people. They need expert counselling. Though there are private hospitals, they have to be in government hospitals as they have nowhere to go or anyone to take care of them. The Ajjarkad government hospital has therefore become a kind of asylum.

Patients are allowed to recuperate to a certain extent in the hospital. Thereafter, women can reside for only five days in Sakhi center at Nittur. This centre is mainly for victims of atrocities and not for mentally ill people. There is no proper facility to rehabilitate them in women welfare centers also. Though there are private destitute homes, security of the mentally ill women is a concern. Sometimes, social workers identify the family members of a woman and send her back with them.

Whether a woman is ill or a destitute, she should not be in a situation where she has to spend the night in a public place. The chances of being exploited in such situtions are grave. That is why the government has to form an organization to take care of such women. Social worker Vishu Ambalpady says that essential personnel have to be provided for such work.

Violet Femina, in-charge of the women police station says, "Police department rescued women a number of times. However, once they get treated, they are again back on streets as there is no shelter. Some arrangement is required in the district to prevent this. If any woman is found in serious condition the same can be informed to Rani Abbakka force also."

There are many buildings which lie vacant in Udupi. If the district administration takes interest, they can be converted into shelters to rehabilitate mentally ill and destitute women.