Santwana Kendras founded by the Department of Women and Child Development in 2001 to provide temporary shelter, education, and legal and financial help to thousands of women victim of domestic and sexual violence is likely to close its 187 branches due to a lack of funds. The women in distress will be assisted by a counselor and three social workers in each unit. Right from its founding, the Santwana Kendra is always struggling for its existence as it is not a part of the budget.
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Peddappaiah R S, Director of the Women and Child Welfare Department said the scheme is currently running on funds from the Bhagyalakshmi bond scheme, the scheme to promote the birth of girl children in below poverty line families and to raise status of girls in society which are insufficient. The meager payment of Rs 13,000 a month for a counselor is not been paid for the past five months. The Central government’s Sakhi One Stop Centre provides medical treatment fees, legal aid, and easier access to police, and counseling to women victimized by sexual and domestic abuse, is not fully functional in Karnataka as the main drawback is the difficulty in access. Each district has only one such centre. On contaray, apart from 15 Santwana Kendras, Bengaluru has a dedicated women’s helpline 'Vanitha Sahayavani' run by NGO Parihar, which has also become difficult to access because of its location and the fact how many come out and complaint?
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A Santwana Kendra counsellor said the helpline can be more-productive if the ethics of counselling privacy and confidentiality is established. If the helpline is inside a police station, it is difficult for a woman to walk in and address her issues. A separate space where women and children feel comfortable is important. However, police says the change in place is due to COVID-19 and will provide a separate building so that women can access it freely.
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