Gender violence victims on recovery path

CHENNAI: She suffered domes tic violence for eight years be fore she finally packed her bags. With three young chil dren to look after, she went to the collector's office for help For the past few months, Urmi la* and her children have been staying at the short-stay home run by Madras Christian Council of Social Service (MCCSS), leading a life of peace and security .
On Wednesday , the 35-year old was all smiles as MCCSS second sales outlet was inau gurated. For she is one of the three women who will be em ployed at the outlet that sells footwear. It is the first step to independence for Urmila who can now earn a regular income and support her own family .
“This is a pilot project to aid gender-based violence vic tims, whether it's women who were trafficked, or those who have suffered domestic vio lence,“ says MCCSS executive secretary Isabel Richardson. The organisation runs a short stay home for women who suffer domestic violence, unwed mothers and rape vic tims as well as a protection home for victims of human trafficking. “Women from these homes will be placed at the sales outlet,“ says Richard son. At present, the short stay home has 33 residents and 34 women are housed in the pro tection home. In March this year, MCCSS had opened a sales outlet, the Golden Jubilee Centre, on its premises in Perambur. “Since the outlet, which specializes in tailoring Indian dresses for women, was a success, we thought of opening a second one,“ says Richardson, adding that during rehabilitation, trafficked survivors require monitored supervision for a period of time.
These outlets help women learn skills and help them earn a livelihood. “Most of the time, victims of domestic abuse go back to the perpetrator because they are dependent on them. So they feel they have no other choice, but we want to break that vicious cycle by providing them with other opportunities,“ says Richardson.
The outlet has been set up in collaboration with the Millo Pack, which has invested money to procure goods and run the outlet. “The women will be given an opportunity to work there and get a regular salary,“ says Richardson. The outlet, located on MCCSS' premises, was inaugurated by joint secretary of TNSWB G Perumalsamy . Field officer at Directorate of Social Defence Alfred David, CWC member Sheela Charles and district child protection officer Glory Gunaseeli were the chief guests. “The government of India has two programmes for women that is implemented through NGOs. One is the Swadhar scheme, for women in difficult circumstances, and the other is the Ujjawala scheme,“ says Alfred David, field officer, Directorate of Social Defence.
“Under rehabilitation, we give training to rescued women to empower them so that they can stand on their own feet. The new sales outlet will give them training in selling goods and also teach them entrepreneurial skills. In future, these women will be able to either turn entrepreneurs or get jobs in other enterprises,“ says David
(*Name changed)