Prita Jha’s essay in Open Democracy on women’s shelters being more like a jail than a refuge
Prita Jha’s essay in Open Democracy on women’s shelters being more like a jail than a refuge In this piece, legal activist Prita Jha critiques the state of women’s shelter homes (refuges) in India, arguing that many function more like carceral institutions than safe havens for survivors of domestic and gender-based violence. Although laws like the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA) mandate the provision of shelter, counselling, and legal aid, the reality on the ground is starkly different. Survivors often experience poor living conditions, lack of emotional support, and restricted freedom of movement, with staff treating residents as “inmates” rather than individuals rebuilding their lives. Jha also highlights how societal stigma around women who leave abusive homes feeds into the punitive environment of these shelters, undermining their purpose as supportive spaces for recovery and empowerment. This critique was part of a larger series marking the tenth anniversary of India’s domestic violence law, emphasizing that inadequate refuge provisions seriously limit women’s real choices and autonomy. Full article:https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/5050/jail-not-shelter-women-s-refuges-in-india/
File detailed reply to PIL (by PEC) on state of women’s shelter homes, HC tells government
File detailed reply to PIL (by PEC) on state of women’s shelter homes, HC tells government The Gujarat High Court has asked the state government to file a detailed reply to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the poor conditions of women’s shelter homes (Nari Sanrakshan Gruh) in the state. The PIL was filed by Peace and Equality Cell (PEC) after an Indian Express report revealed that several women had fled a shelter home due to inhuman living conditions, including lack of sanitation, medical care, and proper management. The petitioner highlighted serious issues such as women being forced to defecate in the open, mentally challenged inmates being housed with others without proper care, no access to education or rehabilitation, and a lock-up-like environment that stripped residents of dignity and freedom. The High Court’s direction came after the government’s earlier reply failed to address the core concerns raised in the PIL, prompting the court to seek a comprehensive response and supporting inspection reports on shelter homes across Gujarat. Full article: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/file-detailed-reply-to-pil-on-state-of-womens-shelter-homes-hc-tells-government/