GANGTOK January 18:

Association for Social Health in India (ASHI) Sikkim, a non political and non profitable NGO has decided to establish short stay ‘Home Mamtalaya’. Project targets to provide temporary shelters for fragile women and girls (from 15-35 years of age groups), who are the victims of social and family atrocities, family maladjustment or discord.

There are around 12 helpless girls and women at present in Mamtalaya and the organization is running since 2001 in the state. Established in 1987 and Positioned at Amdo Golai Tadong (East Sikkim), the NGO registered itself in 1990.

The scheme of Short Stay Home has considerably helped the women and girls facing crisis in their lives, especially from the vulnerable and marginalised section of society. Many girls and women do not find themselves adequately equipped to face the changing pattern of life.

Core objective of the NGO are to uplift the downtrodden women and girls, to eradicate social evils like prostitution, maladjustment and to mobilize public awareness against social crimes; particularly those against women.

The organization is also working towards fighting for equal status and dignity of women in a family and society, opening up of counselling centres for prevention and treatment of drug abuse and setting up of institutions like family homes. It also cooperates with Government in providing protective homes for shelter, training and rehabilitation of women and children in distress, said Superintendent of ASHI Tara Rizal.

The ASHI falls under the Ministry of social justice and Empowerment, New Delhi and Central Social Welfare Board. Speaking to Sikkim Mail, Ms. Rizal informed that the victims can stay in the home for three years and during this period they are provided with several sessions of counselling, vocational training and employment as per their capabilities.

She further complained that they have been facing infrastructural problems as they neither have their own space nor an ambulance. Due to this reason, victims cannot do any outside activities. Since the NGO falls under central government, they cannot approach state government or other NGOs and individuals.

There are three projects under the ASHI, namely; Rehabilitation cum treatment Centre, Family Counselling Centre and Mamtalaya.

Rehabilitation Cum treatment Centre is running in Sichey. Family Counselling Centre is located in the same building of Mamtalaya at Amdo Golai, Tadong. There are seven staffs in Mamtalaya and Family Counselling Centre, including a doctor. Short Stay Home always gives preference to fragile women and girls and has been providing shelter to them since its establishment.

They are getting financial support every year from Social Welfare Board, Sikkim.

She further informed that they have settled many family disputes and had sent concerned women and girls to home, but few of the cases are very critical and cannot be settled. But NGO tries its best to settle all the cases.
Mentioning the structure of organization’s work she said that they provide six months training for printing, jute (? Sir, plz check it), cutting, tailoring, and knitting for rural uneducated and unemployed women and girls from all over the state.

She further underlined that most of the cases come from remote areas, especially from poor and uneducated families. ASHI, Sikkim branch is implementing various social programmes, in collaboration with government and other organizations. Members and staffs, who participate in several programmes, are appointed by different departments of state government, central government and other NGOs, asserted Ms. Rizal.

Similarly, Ms. Prabha Pradhan, commissioner of Family Counselling Centre (FCC) stated that they always try to settle family disputes. Only in the extreme cases they forward it to Women Commission.

SIKKIM MAIL

 

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