Prakash Kanat in Panaji,
May 29-Bailancho Saad(BS),women's collective here has noted with concern the serious repercussions on the reproductive health of women during the COVID- 19 Lockdown.
"There have been desperate calls from young women who have borne the brunt of unwanted pregnancies, with no access to medical health as all hospital and OPDs were shut," said Sabina Martins of BS ina press statement issued here on Friday.
"In one instance when a woman missed her periods and pregnancy test was positive, she desperately looked for medical help. A victim of domestic violence,mother of three children,was beaten up several times. Her husband then gave tablets bought over the counter, by getting a prescription, without her being examined or medically evaluated. This caused excessive bleeding which caused severe weakness. With no food for her and the children aggravated the violence.
Despite calling the police station and authorities for help,no case was registered. She was assisted to get food from volunteers and helpline. The police registered a complaint only in lockdown 3 when a volunteer of BS accompanied her. All the incidents of violence were not recorded despite reporting,alleged Ms. Martins.
In another shocking instance, a mother wailed and complained to Bailancho Saad that her daughter lost her life when she was given tablets, by in laws, to abort the unwanted pregnancy. The girl from Goa got pregnant during lockdown. She lived in Mumbai with her husband and one and half year old girl. No medical help reached her. Due to the Lockdown, the mother was unable to attend the daughter’s last rites in Mumbai. An FIR has been lodged as the death was within 7 years of marriage and is under investigation.
In yet another distress call, advice was sought from Bailancho Saad , as a baby was delivered at home and the young girl, whom they believed was a victim of sexual assault was bleeding profusely. The people who were trying to reach her were advised to take the girl to State-run Goa Medical College hospital near here.
During the Lockdown 1and 2, the OPDs and hospitals were closed and inaccessible. There were no proactive steps taken like generating awareness to prevent unwanted pregnancies,by the government. The shame associated with unwanted pregnancies, spurred many women to take steps which were life threatening,said Ms. Martins.
The BS office-bearer said that incidents of related domestic violence became grave as complaints were not registered. The situation worsened when women activists could not be there physically to accompany women to police stations. With mechanisms being dysfunctional, women underwent acute trauma and distress which is still ongoing.
Bailancho Saad demands that immediate corrective steps be taken to ensure that
1) Gynaecology and Obstetrics medical facilities be available 24 hours, in all health centres and hospitals, so that women have access to safe reproductive healthcare besides general medicare.
ii)As women come forward to report, the police and concerned authorities should register their complaints and take appropriate action.(eom)
May 29-Bailancho Saad(BS),women's collective here has noted with concern the serious repercussions on the reproductive health of women during the COVID- 19 Lockdown.
"There have been desperate calls from young women who have borne the brunt of unwanted pregnancies, with no access to medical health as all hospital and OPDs were shut," said Sabina Martins of BS ina press statement issued here on Friday.
"In one instance when a woman missed her periods and pregnancy test was positive, she desperately looked for medical help. A victim of domestic violence,mother of three children,was beaten up several times. Her husband then gave tablets bought over the counter, by getting a prescription, without her being examined or medically evaluated. This caused excessive bleeding which caused severe weakness. With no food for her and the children aggravated the violence.
Despite calling the police station and authorities for help,no case was registered. She was assisted to get food from volunteers and helpline. The police registered a complaint only in lockdown 3 when a volunteer of BS accompanied her. All the incidents of violence were not recorded despite reporting,alleged Ms. Martins.
In another shocking instance, a mother wailed and complained to Bailancho Saad that her daughter lost her life when she was given tablets, by in laws, to abort the unwanted pregnancy. The girl from Goa got pregnant during lockdown. She lived in Mumbai with her husband and one and half year old girl. No medical help reached her. Due to the Lockdown, the mother was unable to attend the daughter’s last rites in Mumbai. An FIR has been lodged as the death was within 7 years of marriage and is under investigation.
In yet another distress call, advice was sought from Bailancho Saad , as a baby was delivered at home and the young girl, whom they believed was a victim of sexual assault was bleeding profusely. The people who were trying to reach her were advised to take the girl to State-run Goa Medical College hospital near here.
During the Lockdown 1and 2, the OPDs and hospitals were closed and inaccessible. There were no proactive steps taken like generating awareness to prevent unwanted pregnancies,by the government. The shame associated with unwanted pregnancies, spurred many women to take steps which were life threatening,said Ms. Martins.
The BS office-bearer said that incidents of related domestic violence became grave as complaints were not registered. The situation worsened when women activists could not be there physically to accompany women to police stations. With mechanisms being dysfunctional, women underwent acute trauma and distress which is still ongoing.
Bailancho Saad demands that immediate corrective steps be taken to ensure that
1) Gynaecology and Obstetrics medical facilities be available 24 hours, in all health centres and hospitals, so that women have access to safe reproductive healthcare besides general medicare.
ii)As women come forward to report, the police and concerned authorities should register their complaints and take appropriate action.(eom)
No comments:
Post a Comment