Covid-19: Kerala’s Gender Violence Management Initiative Boosts Activity

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
With the Kerala Government factoring in domestic peace and harmony as a vital component of its public health and family welfare policies, the state’s Gender Based Violence Management Centre (GBVMC), also known as Bhoomika, has boosted its Information, Education and Communication (IEC) programme to reach out to women during the COVID-19 lockdown period.

The services of dedicated counselors and support team can be accessed by those who need to address their grievances and look for assistance by calling the helpline number 1056 of Disha (Direct Intervention for Health Awareness), a senior Bhoomika official said.

“We have as many as 21 counselors working in all districts across the state.Those who require the service can contact the counselors through the helpline in all confidence”, said Seena K M, Senior Consultant (Social Development).

An initiative of the State Health Department, GBVMC has been providing medical and psychological care to victims of gender-based violence and social abuses. Under the project, financed by the state’s plan fund and supported by NHM, one GBVM unit functions in district and general hospitals and major taluk hospitals across the state, managed by a female coordinator/ counselor.

The objectives of the programme include providing social and psychological support to women, sensitising hospital staff on gender issues, training them to identify victims of violence and networking with organisations concerned for mutual support and sharing.

Apart from providing counseling service, the programme also extends legal aid and other follow-up supports in necessary cases. “This is a converged programme. We also do the follow-up with the help of legal authorities , police and agencies like Women and Child Council”, Seena said.