SWADHAR Greh Scheme is implemented and Funded by the Ministry of Women and Child Development to provide institutional support and rehabilitation to women in difficult circumstances. and this scheme started in the year 2018. This scheme aims to ensure that these women can lead their lives with dignity by providing them with shelter, food, clothing, medical care, and economic and social security.
Beneficiaries
Women above 18 years of age who fall into the following categories are eligible for assistance under the scheme:
- Deserted women without any social or economic support.
- Women survivors of natural disasters who are homeless and lack social or economic support.
- Women prisoners who have been released from jail and lack family or social support.
- Women victims of domestic violence or family tensions who are forced to leave their homes without subsistence and are vulnerable to exploitation or facing litigation due to marital disputes.
- Trafficked women/girls rescued or who have run away from brothels or other places of exploitation.
- Women affected by HIV/AIDS without any social or economic support (these women should seek assistance under the UJJAWALA Scheme in areas where it is operational).
The women affected by domestic violence can stay up to 1 year, while other women can stay up to 3 years. Women above the age of 55 years may stay for up to 5 years, after which they must shift to old age homes or similar institutions.
Children accompanying these women may also avail the facilities:
- Girls up to 18 years and boys up to 8 years can stay with their mothers in the Swadhar Greh.
- Boys above 8 years will be shifted to Children’s Homes under the JJ Act.
Objectives
The key objectives of the Swadhar Greh Scheme include:
- Shelter, food, clothing, and medical treatment for women in distress and those without support.
- Regaining emotional strength lost due to unfortunate circumstances.
- Legal aid and guidance to help women readjust to family or society.
- Economic and emotional rehabilitation to ensure women can start life afresh with dignity.
- Providing a support system to meet the various requirements of distressed women.
Strategies
The following strategies will be used to meet the objectives of the scheme:
- Temporary residential accommodation with provisions for food, clothing, medical care, and other essential services.
- Vocational and skill upgradation training for economic rehabilitation.
- Counseling, awareness generation, and behavioral training to empower women.
- Legal aid and guidance to help women deal with their legal issues and rehabilitation process.
- Counseling via telephone to provide continuous support.
Benefits
- Shelter, food, clothing, and medical treatment are provided to women in distress.
- Women affected by domestic violence can stay for up to 1 year.
- Women in other categories may stay for up to 3 years.
- Older women (above 55 years) may stay up to 5 years.
- Vocational training, legal assistance, medical facilities, and counseling are available as additional services.
- Children accompanying these women are also supported with shelter and basic needs.
Eligibility
To be eligible for assistance under the Swadhar Greh Scheme, the following criteria must be met:
- Women above 18 years of age from the categories outlined above.
- Women should be without any social or economic support or should have been subjected to violence or exploitation.
- Women affected by domestic violence can stay up to 1 year, while other women may stay for up to 3 years (5 years for women above 55 years).
Exclusions
- The scheme does not apply to women who do not fall under the specified categories or those who do not require institutional support.
Application Process
The application process for Swadhar Greh facilities can be done through the following steps:
- Self-application or through a public-spirited citizen, public servant, NGO, or relative.
- Through Women Helpline, which is integrated with police, ambulance, and emergency response helplines.
Applicants can contact the Women Helpline or visit the directory website to locate the nearest Swadhar Greh or help center.
Documents Required
- The documents required will be notified by the help center. Typically, they may include:
- Proof of identity (e.g., Aadhaar card, voter ID).
- Residential certificate.
- Proof of victimization (e.g., FIR, police report).
- Medical reports, if applicable.
- Other relevant documents as specified by the help center.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What kind of legal assistance is provided? Legal aid is provided to help women navigate legal matters related to their victimization, including support in court proceedings, family law, and other legal disputes.
- What is meant by vocational training as a service? Vocational training includes skill development programs aimed at economic rehabilitation by providing the women with the tools to become self-sufficient, such as tailoring, computer skills, etc.
- What kind of medical facilities are provided? Basic healthcare services, including treatment for physical injuries, counseling for emotional issues, and regular medical checkups, are provided to women in distress.
- What is the meaning of the counseling facility? Counseling helps women recover from trauma by offering emotional support, guidance on mental health issues, and strategies for re-adjusting to society or family life.
- Is there an application process? Yes, the process is either self-application or through help centers, public servants, or NGOs. Women can also access the scheme via a Women Helpline.
- Where can I find the Swadhar Greh facilities? Swadhar Greh facilities are available across the country. The help center or the Women Helpline will guide you on the nearest facility based on your location.