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Launch of CEHAT Working Paper Series

CEHAT is happy to launch the Working Paper series of CEHAT. With the launch of the Working papers series CEHAT is offering its researchers a space for further reflection on past and ongoing research and to engage with problems only touched upon in the research studies . Most importantly, it allows its faculty to go beyond the immediate questions and explore the many dimensions of social research.

This first paper in the CEHAT Working Papers series draws from its collective action research experience over the years in addressing the issue of sexual assault. The Paper presents its reasoned conviction on the importance of a multisectoral approach to the issue particularly in the context of the Delhi High Court mandate on the responsibilities of the many agencies involved in dealing with incidents of sexual assault. Even as it underlines the fact that only such an approach can make for a humane and effective response to cases of sexual assault, it makes a case for further research on the modalities of expanding the scope of the judicial mandate. Download Working Paper

Training on Sexual Violence Against Women

CEHAT was invited for a training session organized by Dr. Indu Sahani, Sheriff of Mumbai. The training session is a part of the helpline �Dial 1298� started by Sheriff. Dial 1298 is a Woman�s Helpline active in Mumbai which helps women in distress; gets in touch with the right NGO which can help them depending on the problem or issue. In the training sessions that are organised various NGOs come together to share their experiences, difficulties and expertise to become more efficient.Sangeeta Rege from CEHAT took a training on �Sexual Violence Against Women�. About 80 members were present at this training. Press Coverage

State Level Convention on Health Sector Budget in Orissa: Demands for a Change

The public health scenario in Orissa is facing significant challenges of poor infrastructure, lack of human resources and acute government apathy. As a result, the poor and the marginalized sections of our society are going through difficult phases of pain and suffering. The process of neoliberal onslaught has aggravated this situation in last two decades. The latest Economic Survey highlighted some of the glaring deficits in the health sector situation in the State including severe incidences of infant & maternal mortality and malaria deaths in the state. Even common diseases like diarrhea and cholera take a tool of innocent lives every year. Under the influence of neoliberal policies, there has been a major rise in the number of private health facilities that are typically out of the reach of the masses. The new found dependence on the Centrally Sponsored Schemes has also marred the State run machinery in making provisions for the poor.

On 10th June the hundreds of Civil Society Groups (CSOs) from across the state came together to discuss the problems related to health sector in Orissa and prepared a Charter of Demands on Health Sector Budget for advocacy with the state government in the backdrop of the ongoing Budget Session in the State Assembly. Read More...

Statement on the recent case of Sexual Assault

Following the spate of news reports regarding the case of sexual assault, we as organizations and individuals working on issues of women�s rights and violence against women, feel that there is a need to comment on the role of that various agencies must play in order that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to the book. In this light, we would like to point out the following:

1. Role of the Hospital: There have been questions raised by the police and media about whether evidence can be collected without an FIR. In fact, the police even insisted on taking the victim to Nagpada Police Hospital for re-examination (which the hospital rightly refused) despite the fact that Rajawadi Hospital had already collected evidence. As per the judgment of the Supreme Court in State of Karnataka v Manjanna (2000) , a requisition for examination from an Investigating Officer is not required. A victim can go directly to a hospital, get herself examined and treated, and subsequently decide on legal action. Read More...

International Women’s Day Show at Dilaasa

The International Women’s Day Celebration at Dilaasa was held on 13th March 2009 at the K.B.Bhabha Hospital, Bandra. Dilaasa and CEHAT staff staged a puppet show for women patients and clients of Dilaasa. In the form of a story, the show covered several issues. One of the acts was around the right to accessing an abortion without husband’s consent, as women patients are often asked to get the husband’s signature when they seek abortion. The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act and women’s right to residence under this Act was highlighted through the show as well. This was followed by a discussion around the same issues.

Dilaasa at Maharaja Yeshwant Rao Hospital(M.Y.),Indore, Madhya Pradesh

Dilaasa the hospital based Crisis Centre is now opened at the M.Y. Hospital, Indore which is a joint venture of CEHAT and M.Y.Hospital,Indore was formally inaugurated by MGM Medical College Dean Dr. Saraswat on 4th February,Thursday at 11.30 a.m. The centre will screen, counsel, treat and help women suffering from Domestic Violence. Two trained counsellors are available at the centre. The centre have been active for past nine months on a pilot basis and about 66 cases of Domestic violence have already approached the centre for information. A training session based on woman victims of Domestic violence and role of health care providers was conducted immediately after the inauguration ceremony.

News Clippings

Paper presented at the International Conference on Gender-based Violence and Reproductive Health on 18th February 2009.

On 18th February 2009, Sangeeta Rege (SRO) made a presentation entitled ‘Implementation of Protocols to deal with Sexual Assault - Experiences from the field' at the organized by the National Institute of Research on Reproductive Health and the UNFPA. She presented CEHAT’s experience of implementing the Sexual Assault and Forensic Evidence Kit (SAFE kit) at two hospitals in Mumbai and highlighted the fact that the introduction of protocols ensures meticulous collection of medico-legal evidence; however it does not substantially change the manner in which victims of gender-based violence are treated by the health system. This requires development of a more comprehensive response, which must include building perspective of health professionals on the issue of violence, modifying procedures related to handling of victims and provision of holistic care, in addition to introduction of protocols. view the Presentation