Swadhar Greh Scheme

The Swadhar Greh scheme is launched by union government (ministry of women and child development) in 2002 for the women, who are in difficult circumstances or condition. The objective of this scheme is to comprehensively rehabilitate widows, victims of trafficking, victims of natural calamities, mentally challenged and destitute women, The scheme provides shelter, food, clothing, and care to the marginalized women/girls who are in need. Recognizing the need to prevent women from exploitation and to support their survival and rehabilitation, the scheme of short stay home for women and girls, The beneficiaries include widows deserted by their families and relatives, women prisoners released from jail and without family support, women survivors of natural disasters, women victims of terrorist/extremist violence etc. means those women/girls who became victim of many difficult situations and need help.

Toll-Free Number: 181

Benefits of Swadhar Greh:

• Under the scheme, Swadhar Greh will be set up in every district with capacity of 30 women; the capacity of Swadhar Greh could be expanded up to 50 or 100 on the basis of need assessment and other important parameters
• Swadhar Greh will provide shelter, food, clothing, medical treatment and care to the women in distress and who are without any social and economic support
• Swadhar Greh will rehabilitate women economically and emotionally
• Swadhar Greh provides them with legal aid and guidance to enable them to take steps for their readjustment in family and society
• Swadhar Greh acts as a support system that understands and meets various requirements of women in distress
• Swadhar Greh enables them to regain their emotional strength that gets hampered due to their encounter with unfortunate circumstances
• Swadhar Greh enables them to start their life afresh with dignity and conviction
• Temporary residential accommodation with the provision of food, clothing, medical facilities etc.
• Counseling through telephone will be provided
• Vocational and skill up gradation training for economic rehabilitation of such women

Eligibility for getting admission into Swadhar Greh:

1. The benefit of the Swadhar Greh could be availed by women above 18 years of age
2. Women who are deserted and are without any social and economic support
3. Women survivors of natural disasters who have been rendered homeless and are without any social and economic support
4. Women prisoners released from jail and are without family, social and economic support
5. Women victims of domestic violence, family tension, who are made to leave their homes without any means of subsistence and have no special protection from exploitation and/ or facing litigation on account of marital disputes
6. Trafficked women/girls rescued or run away from brothels or other places where they face exploitation and Women affected by HIV/AIDS who do not have any social or economic support

Admission procedure for Swadhar Greh and document required:   

1. When women come to such Swadhar Greh either on their own or are referred by others, the first step is to know their social background, the cause of their distress and the problem
2. A specialized interview and case file would be developed by the counselor
3. to assist her to overcome her initial trauma as well as to identify the suitability of services available at Swadhar Greh as per needs of the victim
4. her all information will be registered in the admission register with details such as name, address, age, details of children (if any), description of the problem and source of reference.
5. Information of women admitted in Swadhar Greh will be sent to the nearest police station within 24 hours and an acknowledgment/copy of FIR be kept on record. Similar information about discharge of woman will be given to the same police station at least 24 hours before such discharge
6. Woman would be provided with a Photo ID Card, if she does not have Aadhar card and action for obtaining Aadhar Card should be obtained immediately
7. A medical check-up of woman would be undertaken within 3 days of her admission
8. In case the resident is known to have contracted HIV/AIDS or is HIV+, she should be referred to the VCTC center of the nearest government-run hospital for counseling and advice
9. Aadhar card is mandatory document
10. Identity proof e.g. Voter ID

Whom to contact and where to contact:

1. Victim woman can contact over toll-free number -181
2. A woman can visit near the police station.
3. Victim woman can take help from NGO’s

References & details:

1. http://wcd.nic.in/schemes/swadhar-greh-scheme-women-difficult-circumstances
2. http://wcd.nic.in/sites/default/files/Guidelines7815_1.pdf