Govt to open one-stop centres for domestic violence survivors
Govt to open one-stop centres for domestic violence survivors
Myanmar Times, 12 Dec 2016
URL: http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/24148-govt-to-open-one-stop-centres-for-domestic-violence-survivors.html
Women's groups have welcomed a government initiative to help women who have experienced domestic violence, and called for the project, so far limited to Yangon and Mandalay, to be extended throughout the country.
The new One-Stop Women’s Support Centre (OSWSC) was set up to help women who have suffered violence and abuse. It will open at the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement’s vocational training centres in Yangon and Mandalay before the end of the year, ministry officials have said.
The centres will offer medical check-ups, shelter for mothers and children, legal advice on their rights and support in the event of a prosecution.
Naw Tha Wah, director of the Women’s Development Division of the social welfare department, said it was difficult for women to explain their plight to a string of police, hospital staffers, and other officials.Those who came to the OSWSC would be asked to fill in only one form.
“A woman who has suffered violence only needs to come to our office and fill in the one form. We will help her in the event of legal or criminal action according to her wishes,” she said.
The ministry is aiming for each centre to support 100 women, and has asked the government for a budget of K500,000 per woman supported. The centres will be staffed by medical professionals, police, officers with legal experience and administrative workers.
Daw San San Aye, director general of the Social Welfare Department, said, “Women who live outside Yangon or Mandalay can contact the Department of Social Welfare on the hot line, 067- 404666, or 067-404777. We will try to open an OSWSC in other states and regions, but we face budgetary constraints that limit us from placing shelters in other locations. We will extend the project as our budget increases.”
The new One-Stop Women’s Support Centre (OSWSC) was set up to help women who have suffered violence and abuse. It will open at the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement’s vocational training centres in Yangon and Mandalay before the end of the year, ministry officials have said.
The centres will offer medical check-ups, shelter for mothers and children, legal advice on their rights and support in the event of a prosecution.
Naw Tha Wah, director of the Women’s Development Division of the social welfare department, said it was difficult for women to explain their plight to a string of police, hospital staffers, and other officials.Those who came to the OSWSC would be asked to fill in only one form.
“A woman who has suffered violence only needs to come to our office and fill in the one form. We will help her in the event of legal or criminal action according to her wishes,” she said.
The ministry is aiming for each centre to support 100 women, and has asked the government for a budget of K500,000 per woman supported. The centres will be staffed by medical professionals, police, officers with legal experience and administrative workers.
Daw San San Aye, director general of the Social Welfare Department, said, “Women who live outside Yangon or Mandalay can contact the Department of Social Welfare on the hot line, 067- 404666, or 067-404777. We will try to open an OSWSC in other states and regions, but we face budgetary constraints that limit us from placing shelters in other locations. We will extend the project as our budget increases.”