India: Women's shelters in Punjab, specifically in the area of Chakra (Chaker), Daultpura and Modaka villages, and the security of the women/children in their care (1997-1999), organizations that provide assistance to women victims of violence

Information on women's shelters and organizations that provide assistance to women victims of violence operating in Chakra (Chaker), Daultpura and Modaka villages, Punjab, could not be found among the resources consulted by the Research Directorate. 

The national government's Planning Commission, which formulates and oversees India's Five Year Plans and Annual Plans, reported that there were five short stay homes operating in Punjab as of the beginning of August 1998 (1999). The Delhi Commission for Women provides the following details on short stay homes:

The short stay home provides shelter for periods ranging from three months to one-or-two years. For many women, it serves more like a crisis intervention centre and a temporary refuge till they resolve their problems.

The main purpose of short stay homes is to give temporary shelter to socially exploited destitute women and girls, widows who have been thrown out of their homes, and victims of marital discord, violence, etc.

Children below eight years of age are usually allowed to stay with their mother. As most of the women who seek shelter here are from the lower socioeconomic strata and without skills to earn a living, they are given free board and lodging. Usually a woman seeking shelter is allowed to stay until she gains enough self-confidence to re-establish her life.

Counselling services are provided for the women, and referral services for vocational training, medical and legal aid (n.d.)

The government's Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB) provides grants to non-governmental organizations to run short stay homes for women victims of violence and women in distress (CSWB 1999). As of 1998, CSWB reported that approximately 270 short stay homes were run with their support in various parts of the country (ibid.).Additional information on these homes and organizations in Punjab which provide assistance to women victims of violence could not be found within the time constraints of this response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please see the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB). 1999. "Support Services." [Accessed 26 July 2000]

Delhi Commission on Women. n.d. "Short Stay Homes." < http://www.empowering-women.com/welfaremain.asp?lngID=18> [Accessed 26 July 2000]

Planning Commission. 1999. "No. of Short Stay Homes Sanctioned (Since Inception of Programme) and Actually Functioning on 01-08-1998." [Accessed Aug. 2 2000]

Centre for Women's Development Studies [Delhi]

Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), Consideration of Reports of States parties: India: Initial Report

Human Rights Watch Global Report on Women's Human Rights 1995

Immigration and Nationality Directorate, Country Assessments

Women's International Network Quarterly (WIN)

Internet Sites including:

Department of Women & Child Development, Ministry of Human Resource Development

Feminist Majority Foundation, Global Daily News Wire

Global Reproductive Health Forum

Indian Institute for Health Management and Research

South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre

United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW)

Virginia University Library, Indian Women and Violence: A Bibliography

World Organization Against Torture: Gender-based Torture, including Domestic Abuse, FGM, Rape, and Forced Marriage section

Search Engines including:

Non-documentary sources:

Unsuccessful attempts to contact four other sources