In this changing world the need for providing shelter for women and girls from disadvantageous situations is being increasingly realized. The changing pattern of life, the rapid urbanization and industrialization and the resulting migration from rural to urban areas; the spread of education among women and the resulting problems of adjustment for the first generation literates; the rising cost of living and the need for women members of the family to make an independent earning creates innumerable problems which many of the women and girls do not find themselves adequately equipped to face. The break-up of social institutions like the joint family contributes considerably in creating problems of adjustment for women and young girls. Cases of marital conflict and emotional disturbances are occurring in increasing trend. They require help and guidance to regain confidence to meet such situations and acquire skills to become self-reliant and to develop relationships with people that could help in the re-establishment of their status in society. For meeting the situation, institutional services where counseling and guidance, medical and psychiatric treatment with vocational training is provided which proved to be useful. The effort has been made to help the women to rehabilitate themselves within a short period of time. In line of this thinking Swadhar shelter was instituted on 1st May of 2005. Ministry of women and Child Development, Government of India has supported this center from the beginning. Swadhar shelter home is located at Guwahati, Assam. The word ‘Swadhar’ means self-reliant and the prime objective of the project are to assist women having no social and economic support to emerge out from the difficult circumstances and become self-reliant in a short span of time.
Treatment we offer at the institute and our work plan
After granting admission in the shelter home and procedure of initial interview and diagnosis are completed, the women is given the required treatment which includes medical care, counseling service ,psychiatric treatment ,casework services, occupational therapy, social facilities of adjustment like educational, vocational, recreational and cultural activities etc as per need of the individual. Minute details of the beneficiaries are recorded in individual file. Formal, non-formal and adult education programs have been evolved in the shelter home depending upon the needs of the residents. The vocational training program in the center has linkage with the training facilities available in other organizations. The various vocational training programs implemented by the Government are also available. There are facilities for organized recreation and group activities. Facilities for indoor and outdoor games are provided. Girls are taken out for cultural shows, outings, picnics and exhibitions etc. at least once in a month. Prolonged stay at this home is discouraged. The period of stay may readily extend from 6 months to 3 years. There is a system for proper follow up of discharging residents to ensure their smooth re-integration into the community and their family. The project tries to establish linkages with after care institutions run by the state and central Governments and other voluntary organizations. Out of the total capacity of accommodation five to ten seats are kept reserved for such deserving women (with children if necessary) who would come to the city for legal matters. A staff is engaged that will deal with such cases and escort them to the court. Public awareness is created for the rehabilitation of women discharged from the centre. The institution will have a proper and effective follow-up program and case records consisting of follow-up notes at least for five years after discharge. For this purpose, the organization had put earnest efforts to find suitable individual placement as well as to educate people regarding the objectives of the centre. The mass communication media is utilized for this purpose. Community leaders are involved in the working of the centre through the managing committees. A Managing Committee has been set up for the institution having representatives from both government and non-Government agencies to review every case after three months and decide on the continuation of the stay of the resident in the Home. Festivals pertaining to all religions are celebrated besides Republic Day and Independence Day and the birthdays of the residents. The residents are allowed to meet visitors, which include parents/ guardians/close relatives. The Superintendent/Case Worker will scrutinize the list of visitors. Visitors will be allowed only on specific days and on specific time as determined by the managing committee. Those women and girls, whose parents or close relatives are alive, will be granted 15 days leave during a year, in case they so desire. A proper leave application with the address of the place to be visited will be filled before the resident leaves the Institution and this will be placed on record.