Homeless women, particularly those who are single, are more vulnerable to physical violence and sexual abuse on the streets than other groups. They are also more likely to live with their children and are often induced to take up unsafe and insecure jobs, such as in prostitution and drug networks, in exchange for physical protection and food.
The needs of homeless women have not been addressed by social policies. Delhi, for instance, has nearly 300 homeless shelters. Only a handful are for single women. One reason is because women comprise a minority of the street homeless population. Delhi surveys estimate that about 10% of the city's homeless are women.
Still, policies that include women's shelters, access to legal justice and child care services should be in place.
IHRN is commited to research on gender-specific causes and deprivations of homelessness to address this gap.
Authors: Manish K. Jha, Pushpendra, Mouleshri Vyas, Ritambhara Hebbar, Mahuya Bandyopadhyay and Simpreet Singh
Author: Kanchan Gandhi
Title: Experiencing Homelessness - the Case of a Women's Shelter Near Jama Masjid, Delhi
Publication: Localities
Publication Date: 2015
citation: Gandhi, K. ‘Experiencing homelessness: a case of a women’s shelter near Jama Masjid, Delhi,’ Localities, KRI, Pusan
Authors: Kaustabh Mani Sengupta, Iman Mitra and Debarti Bagchi
Authors: Dhananjay Tingal, Vijay Pande and Shahana Chaudhry
Editors: Joseph Sebastian and Indu Prakash Singh
Editorial Assitantance: Nimret Bhinder and Kirti Mishra
Publication: Indo-Global Social Service Society (IGSSS)
Publication Date: March 2012
Author: Aashray Adhikar Abhyiyan
Title: The Capital’s Homeless – A Preliminary Study
Publication: Aashray Adhikar Abhyian
Publication Date: 2001