PANJIM: NGO Bailancho Saad has alleged that unwanted pregnancies and domestic violence are being reported during the lockdown while police in certain cases, refused immediate help.
A press statement issued by women activist Sabina Martins has brought to the fore cases which required intervention of the NGO to seek justice.
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“Bailancho Saad 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 the hospitals and OPDs were shut,” she said revealing situation before relaxation.
In one instance, a victim of domestic violence and mother of three children was beaten up several times. Martins alleged that her husband forcibly gave her tablets without getting her medically examined. This caused excessive bleeding and severe weakness.
“She was not given food and neither her children. Despite calling the police station and authorities for help, no case was registered. She was assisted to get food from the volunteers and helpline. The police registered a complaint only in lockdown 3, when a volunteer of Bailancho Saad accompanied her,” she said.
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 seven years of marriage and is under investigation,” she said as the NGO claim existence of more such distressed incidents.
“During the Lockdown 1 and 2, the OPDs and hospitals were closed and inaccessible. There were no proactive steps taken like awareness to prevent unwanted pregnancies by the government. The shame associated with unwanted pregnancies, spurred many women to take steps which were life threatening,” Martins further said. She added that all the incidents of violence are not recorded despite reporting.
