Various types of violence against women and girls in the family like wife beating, rape, physical and sexual abuse, desertion and economic exploitation as well as extreme family poverty and no means of subsistence sometimes make it very difficult for women and girls to stay at home and to find shelter in any safe place. In recognition of such unfortunate but not uncommon social maladies, the Central Government, on the recommendation of the Government of West Bengal entrusted the EICS in 1991 with the management of a Short Stay Home for Women and Girls (15-35 years) who are in distress and need shelter. The Home also provided shelter to the children of Child Line – Birbhum through Child Welfare Committee. Short Stay Home was upgraded in to SWADHAR GREH ( for women of 18-55 years) in January 2016.

Since inception of Home, we have received total 568 inmates. During the period under report i.e. April 2018 to March 2019, Thirty one (31) inmates have taken admission at the Swadhar Greh and twenty four (24) inmates have been released from the Home. On an average monthly 12 inmates stayed at the Home during 2018-2019.

Service Provided:

• Temporary safe shelter
• Medical care
• Rehabilitation (economic, social, psychological).
  
  • Training on embroidery, cutting and tailoring, hobby loom, machine knitting, boutique, fabric & appliqué, macramé, food processing.
  • Adult education for inmates
  • Counselling for re-adjustment in family or society
  • Counselling for mental  strength for being self dependent
• Education for children.
• Follow up services .
• Formal Education.

In this year i.e from April 2018 to March 2019, 24 inmates were released and rehabilitated. At present (at the end of March 2019) 15 women are staying in the Home. The data of released inmates who were rehabilitated in this year (April 2018 – March 2019) are mentioned here under-. 

Rehabilitation Programme of Released Inmates:

Home Committee:

For the management of the Home a committee is actively working. During the period, four meetings were held and various issues were discussed for the benefit of the inmates. The proceedings of the meeting are implemented in earnest.

Visits: 

During the period Dy.Director, West Bengal Child Rights and Trafficking, The Chairperson of Women Commission, Additional District Magistrate (Dev), Birbhum, District Social Welfare Officer,  Birbhum,  District Child Protection Officer of District Child Protection Society, Suri, Birbhum, Secretary, Legal Aid Services Authority, Suri, Birbhum, Additional Session Judge Rampurhat, Birbhum, Child Development Project Officer, Bolpur, Birbhum and many other Government & Non Government distinguished persons visited the Home. 

Referral Service: 

One inmate has been referred to a Mental Hospital in Berhampur and one inmate has been referred to other State by assistance the Police of Santiniketan PS.

Publicity: 

The publicity for Home has been done by broadcasting and telecasting and by distributing leaflets through ASHAs in 19 Blocks of Birbhum District, awareness camp, through various types of programmes organized by the organization. Besides these publicities, since the institute is working as Service Provider hence, the SDJM & SDO have been requested to send the victims of Domestic Violence and in this regard, the Block Women Development Officer has also been informed about the service of Swadhar Greh.

Other Activities: 

This year inmates of Swadhar Greh observed Birth Day of Rabindranath Tagore on 9 May 2018. Inmates enjoyed Durgapuja by the help of District Administration.  They observed Independence Day on 15 August 2018.  On observing International Women’s Day (8 March 2019) by the organization, the inmates expressed their views on the improtance of the day and participated in music and dance recitals. 

The inmates along with their educational activities and vocational training are also taking part in theatre workshop and training in music and dance. They are also learning how to work on computer.

One inmate of the Home appeared in Madhyamik (WB Board) Examination this year and one has taken admission in Graduation course of Physical Education Department of Visva Bharati. 

One inmate, physically challenged received Excellence Award as All Rounder in NCC.  She has been honoured as ‘Agnikanya’ by the Hon. Minister Smt. Shashi Panja for her special achievement in her life. She also secured 1st position in Leadership Camp organized by Visva Bharati University.   

Two released inmates were selected for Sponsorship Programme with the help of District Social Welfare Department, Birbhum.