NCW to recommend amendment in Mental Health Act

New Delhi, Mar 9 (UNI) With more than five million women being mentally-ill in India, the National Commission for Women (NCW) will recommend amendment in Mental Health Act 1987 to secure the rights of these women and protect them from sexual exploitation.

''With the number of mentally-ill and homeless women growing in India, the Commission will strongly push for making the law more gender-sensitive so that these women are protected,'' NCW Chairperson Girija Vyas told UNI after the conclusion of a two- day seminar on ''Mentally ill women- Is Destitution the only answer?'' She said a rehabilitation programme for mentally ill women was urgently required.

''They are abandoned by society and family.... the rehabilitation programmes have to be worked out and our recommendations will stress on these two issues more,'' she reiterated.

Ms Vyas said an increasing number of mentally-ill women faced formidable socio-economic problems and were vulnerable to sexual abuse.

Recommendations would be made on making laws more stringent, ensuring proper rehabilitation, sensitisation of the police and other agencies and providing legal services to them.

''There is an acute need to broaden the existing Mental Health Act 1987.... It requires amendment so that all the grey areas are addressed besides awareness which is crucial,'' she added.

''At times people who have to have the responsibility to protect these women end up sexually exploiting them.... The mind set of the society towards these women has to be changed,'' Ms Vyas said.

Discussions were held on availability of healthcare facilities, quality and standard of care, gender perspective in the relevant laws, mobilising public opinion, community initiative lack of adequate family support and rehabilitation, besides other issues.

The Commission, in association with the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences and Ashraya Adhikar Abhiyan, organising the seminar which was inaugurated by President A P J Abdul Kalam.

The seminar, held on the International Women's Day, was attended by all stakeholders, including Director Generals of Police, State Secretaries of Health and Family Welfare Ministry and Women and Child Development Ministry, NGOs and affected women and children.

UNI