2.7
Regular visits to these Ashrams and homes may be undertaken on a quarterly
basis by a Monitoring Team deployed by the (MoWCD) at the district level to
inspect the living conditions. The details of the visit report may be uploaded on
the website of the Ministry for proper monitoring at the state and national level.
2.8
Duration for w/hich w/idow/s can stay in a shelter home, w/hether government-run
or those run privately to be regularized in a way that those having no other place
should not have to relocate, if not willing.
2.9
An independent monitoring committee comprising of district authorities and
selected civil society organizations should be set up. Timely visits by these
committees should be conducted with an aim to assess and improve facilities in
shelter homes.
2.10 All shelter homes and Ashrams should have some recreational facilities including
television sets, radio, a small library, etc.
2.11 The Temple trust in holy cities may explore the possibility to provide food and
shelter homes to the widows and fulfill other needs. This will help in alleviating the
condition of the widows in a substantial manner.
3. Equal access to property; prevention of ousting from their homes and protection from
exploitation:
3.1 While widows have the right to succession of the property,its implementationneeds
to be legally protected and ensured by providing legal aid.
3.2 The rights of widows to the matrimonial hometo be protected and enforced in
practice. It is to be ensured that she is not ousted from her home/dwelling. If they
have been ousted, legal aid tobe provided to them tosecure uninterrupted livingin
their home/ dwelling.
3.3 Forcing widows to fend for themselves should be discouraged by making it
punishable by law, which may be applicable to her children, her family members,
and othersbenefitting from her property.
3.4 Appropriate shelter homes should be provided to such widows with the space for
recreation and other activities is made to strengthen them and maximize their
potential to make them self-dependent. They should be engaged in suitable
income-generating activities to maintain livelihood.
3.5 Police patrolling should be done regularly at the shelter homes and a detailed
report on the status, along with grievances should be communicated specifically to
the Women's Help Desk. The Senior Citizen Cell model of Delhi Police can be
duplicated for this purpose.
3.6 Special drivesto be made to create awareness amongst the widows that they have
equal right to live with human dignity and enjoy the property rights in the family
property.