life in PORTA cabin night shelters in Urdu Park in Old Delhi is not a cakewalk for women. With the arrival of winter, the night shelter occupied by 55 women presents a pitiable sight where they are deprived of the basic medical facilities.
Worse comes for them during menstruation as sanitary pads are not available. Women lamented that they never get any despite a dedicated almirah placed in one corner supposed to house sanitary napkins. A woman told The Pioneer that during periods every month they are in desperate situations.
“living on streets or night shelters, periods is more than a hassle, It is not a matter of comfort but cleanliness and dignity,” said the woman.
“We are forced to use socks, plastic bags, clothing, and cotton balls in place of hygienic products,” one of the inmates said.
These women living on streets or night shelters think that using sanitary pads is a luxury for them since the hard-earned money are spent to arrange the food.
Take the case of 9-month-old pregnant Reshma, wife of a rickshaw puller. For women like her feeling clean is a struggle which intensifies into a “crisis when she gets her periods,” wherein the use of alternatives of sanitary pads becomes a health issue.
While watching the premiere of Bollywood star Akshay Kumar’s latest movie “Padman”, a teen-aged girl, who also teaches children at night shelter asked a woman, “What is thisIJ”
“Nani, I saw several advertisement about this on TV but what is this product, I am still unanswered,” the girl asked an old woman there.
“It’s about dignity and women understanding that there is absolutely nothing wrong to discuss this issue with Governments or NGOs,” said one NGO worker on night duty requesting not to be named.
“For homeless women, it really is that dreaded time of the month. They are often forced to go without with limited or no access to sanitary products,” she added.
“I was born here in Urdu park and will die here, surely, we (women) cannot sleep outside night shelters like man, and we are here for each other. Doctors never visit here and we will die… this is our destiny,” said an old woman.
She is unaware of Government run maternity facilities. “I visit Kasturba Gandhi hospital for my checkups. It is difficult for me to stand for longtime carrying a nine month old baby in womb, adding, “There is no visit of a lady doctor,” said Reshma while wiping her tears with torn woolen shawl
The Pioneer checked visitors’ register and noticed some signature , addresses and contact details of visitors but unable to find any signature of doctors or nurses. The first aid box was full but with expired medicines mainly -paracetamol. “When we fall sick, it is the God who saves us,” said another inmate on the condition of anonymity.
like every colony or residential areas, this PORTA cabin also plays host to various women who wear many a hats during day time. They are beggars but have aspirations to earn more than food. They are mothers but willing to give nutrienal diet to their toddlers.