’Santvana Kendras’ give solid hope to women

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Mar 15, 2015:  The Santvana Kendra, introduced in Udupi, in 2002, followed by other Santvana Kendras introduced in Karkala (2012) and Kundapur (2014), are  contributing to confidence of women and serves as the counseling centres for lower economic strata.  Santvana Kendra, introduced by the government through Women and Child Welfare Department, has a vital role in reassuring destabilised lives of women belonging to upper middle class and middle class mainly.

More than 1,270 cases are registered in Udupi Santvana Kendra since its inception. about 220 cases in Karkala Santvana Kendra and 35 in Kundapur Santvana Kendra.  Out of the total 1,530 cases reported with Santvana Kendras, at least 1,320 are settled. In Udupi, 1,130 cases are settled, while 187 in Karkala and 5 in Kundapur. 210 cases are yet to be solved, out these about  145 cases are in Udupi, 35 are in Karkala and 30 in Kundapur. Further, out of total 210 , 39 cases (33 in Udupi, 1 in Kundapur and 5 in Karkala) are in  court and 169 (110 in Udupi, 27 in Kundapur and 32 in Karkala) are the number of cases handled by Santvana Kendras. Three full-fledged Santvana Kendras are managed by Mahila Mandala Okkuta, the registered body, under Women and Child Welfare Department.

Drawbacks : Women and Child Welfare officer speaking to media said  that women refuse to come forward due to fear of social boycott and anti social action. High degree of publicity offered at grass root level id not helping sufficiently and  the number of complaints registered is not improving.

Awareness created n rural areas at Gram Sabhas on Santvana Kendras recently id helping and change is slowly happening. Women from upper middle class and middle class are now  coming forward to share their grievances / complaints in Kendra.  From total grievances registered, more than 70 per cent cases are solved. He said  that majority cases we receive would be of domestic violence and marital discord. The Kendra acts as a open counseling and rehabilitation centre.

Each Kendras comprises of one counselor and three social workers. The legal assistance and police help would be sought as per need. Women in distress can approach the center  for counseling, protection, health care facilities and shelter. Permanent rehabilitation is offered in the State homes. The Kendras would try to act as the facilitators to patch up the controversies within the families, he added.

Two committees exist one at taluk and one at district level. The DC heads the district level committee and the taluk level committees are headed by the respective tahsildars. The quarterly meeting conducted by the committees would monitor the quality of service provided in Kendras. Besides the ’Mahila Vishesha Chikitsa Ghataka’ set up as part of Santvana Kendras is yet another novel assurance to rebuild the life of the distraught women. Mahila Vishesha Chikitsa Ghataka set up in district government hospital comprises of three social workers, 2 helpers, 2 lawyers, one each doctor, nurse and police personnel. As many as five cases are already handled in Mahila Vishesha Chikitsa Ghataka, which was initiated in the month of November 2014.

The Mahila Vishesha Chikitsa Ghataka is a blessing for all women who undergo physical, mental and sexual trauma. Confidentiality is strictly maintained in all cases.  Offcials opine that all possible attempts are made to ensure peace in the life of women who come seeking mitigation to suffering and the best of care and concern is extended in all cases.