Research Studies published by the Commission

The Commission undertakes in-depth research studies on wide range of issues in order to gain insight into the plight of women coming from various sections of society. These research studies are conducted by experts in their respective fields. Following studies were conducted by the Commission.

Jail Inspection Report

The Chairperson, Member Secretary and the Members of the Commission inspected over 22 Jails in the state. These inspections were based on a comprehensive questionnaire which dealt with various aspects of the well being of the inmates. The observations made by the Commission were compiled into an analytical report. The report while stating the conditions of women prisoners explains the tribulations faced by them and the magnitude of their plight. The Report has made several vital Observations and Recommendations.

According to the report, overcrowding of prisons is the most drastic problem prevalent, over 33% of the jails inspected were overcrowded. The jail inmates faced several problems including lack of proper food, clothing, health and recreational facilities. The children of these inmates were not properly looked after.

The fundamental recommendations made in the report are as follows, Hearings should be expedited for those refused bail on account of there being no sureties available, Jail Inmates who have not obtained bail order because of lack of escort should be given facilities of hearing by Court within the jail premises, Mobile Courts should be encouraged. First time offenders may also be released on parole and observation and the Legal Services authority may direct the advocates engaged by them to make this plea to the concerned Courts, so that the jails are decongested. Gynecologists, Pediatricians and Psychiatrists should regularly visit the women’s cells in jails. Children of the jail inmates should be taken due care and the minor children accompanying their mothers should be provided with necessary facilities for health, education and extra curricular activities.

'Status of Tribal Women in Maharashtra'

The Scheduled Tribe population in Maharashtra is 73.18 lakh, i.e. 9% of the total population of the state. There are 47 tribes in Maharashtra main tribes being Bhils, Gonds, Mahadeo Kolis, Pawras, Thakurs and Warlis. The tribal seem to be the most vulnerable lot because of their geographical location and also because of lack of voice. They have lost access to forest produce and at the same time have not been able to increase the productivity of their lands through water and other resources.

The Commission being keen to understand the status of tribal women carried extensive research in 19 districts and 37 talukas in the state. The research aimed at investigating the role played by the tribal women in decision making at all levels and also to understand the impact of various government welfare and development schemes on them. The report also aimed at suggesting measures and recommendations to enhance and elevate the social, economic and political status of tribal women. Both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection were used in eliciting the required information.

The research was carried out through Tata Institute of Social Sciences and was compiled into a report 'Status of Tribal Women in Maharashtra' by Chhaya Datar and Santosh Kumar of the same institution. The report made several observations, it stated that the health status of tribal women and children is found as the most critical and needs focused attention to transform the statistics of this indicator. Along with other recommendations it stated that the problem of early marriages and early pregnancies should be tackled at war footing level. Malnutrition has very closed link to poverty and eliminating poverty has to be the most crucial agenda by providing opportunities.

'Status of Women in Mental Hospital in Maharashtra'

Mental health problems constitute 8% of the global burden of diseases and more than 15% of adults in developing societies are estimated to suffer from mental illness.

Domestic Violence, sexual abuse and exploitation, early marriage, unwanted pregnancies and abortions, marital discord, etc. are known to contribute to high levels of emotional distress in women. A large number of women are confined in mental homes and they lack support from their family and society at large. The Commission considered a thorough study of the status of women in mental hospitals in the state an important endeavor and accordingly research was conducted in the four Regional Mental Hospitals oaf Maharashtra located in Thane, Pune, Nagpur and Ratnagiri. The report 'Status of Women in Mental Hospital in Maharashtra' was prepared by Shubhada Maitra, of Tata Institute Of Social Sciences. The study tried to explore women's experience of trauma and its relation to illness, recovery and rehabilitation. It also highlights societal response to women with mental illness.

The hospitals where the study was conducted were often used by family members as dumping institutions to abandon women with mental illness. This resulted in large numbers of women remaining in hospitals as long-stay patients, spending their most productive years in an institutional set-up. The study stated that Public images of mental illness fraught with misconceptions, myths and ignorance need to change. A massive and concerted effort to reduce stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness is needed.

'Prevention Of Sexual Harassment In Workplaces/Educational Institutions'

Despite the negative effects of sexual harassment on women, society at large continues to view it as just harmless expression of male sexuality.

The Commission with Research Centre For Women's Studies (RCWS), SNDT Women's University, Mumbai, and the India Centre for Human Rights and Law (ICHRL), carried out an Action Research Project Conducted in Sir J. J. Hospital and Grant Medical College on 'Prevention Of Sexual Harassment In Workplaces/Educational Institutions'.

The research project was prepared by Veena Poonacha & Neeta Raymond. The Project aimed at researching the ways in which sexual harassment in workplaces, educational institutions and in public spaces undermines women's employment/education opportunities. The study revealed that there is wide spread prevalence of sexual harassment in the institution. Nurses face harassment from ward boys, doctors and patients, particularly VIP patients. Professors harass medical students particularly during examinations. It reveals that though women are traumatized by their experiences, nevertheless they do not talk about it, as the prevailing culture tends to condone such acts of male aggression. It indicated that the assertion of male power was at the root of the problem. The project suggested that all employers or persons in charge of work place whether in the public or private sector should take appropriate steps to prevent sexual harassment. Appropriate work conditions should be provided in respect of work, leisure, health and hygiene to further ensure that there is no hostile environment towards women at workplaces and no employee women should have reasonable grounds to believe that she is disadvantaged in connection wither employment.

An Action Research Project Conducted in Veermata Jijamata Jijabai Technical Institution(Mumbai):

An Action Research Project was conducted in Veermata Jijamata Jijabai Technical Institution on 'Prevention Of Sexual Harassment In Workplaces/Educational Institutions' by the Commission with Research Centre For Women's Studies (RCWS), SNDT Women's University, Mumbai, and the India Centre for Human Rights and Law (ICHRL), Mumbai.

The Action Research Project was prepared by Veena Poonacha & Neeta Raymond. The Project aimed researching the ways in which sexual harassment in workplaces, educational institutions and in public spaces undermines women's employment/education opportunities. The J.J. study conducted earlier indicated that despite the directives of the Supreme Court in its Vishka vs. the State of Rajasthan judgment of 1997, most educational/work locations had not established any sound organizational practices to prevent sexual harassment. Realizing the need to conduct similar such studies in other educational/work locatioons, this study was initiated so as to accelerate the process of change. During the sudy it was realised that the harassment need not necessarily be sexual in nature but could still be gender specific.The study suggested that Informal mechanism such as reprimand by persons in authority and social ostracism of offenders to reform their behaviour. The study indicated that the employees and persons in authority do intervene to prevent harassment.

The report is sent to the concerned department for necessary action.

''A Study on Gender Selective Abortion''

The Commission being seriously concerned with the decrease in the sex ratio in the state felt it crucial to conduct ''A Study on Gender Selective Abortion'' in Mumbai. In order to carry out the research it commissioned Dr. Achala Daga, Asst. Professor, Grant Medical College and Sir. J. J. Hospital, to carry out the research. The study revealed that safe abortion services are not available as nursing homes and private clinics are conducting abortion services without trained staff and required equipment. Thus there is need to evolve guidelines to improve abortion services. Apart from complications of unsafe abortion, adverse psychosocial effects such as anxiety, depression and guilt, hence there is need for counseling services before undergoing abortions. There is high teenage abortion rate, which can have adverse effect on women's future reproductive health.

Sex determination, i.e. use of amniocentesis are strongly linked to abortion to get rid of female child. The important reason for sex selective abortion is linked to the evil custom of Dowry. Rules under MTP Act and Sex Determination Act are not implemented effectively by abortion clinics. There is a need for change with regard to abortion services from dilation and curettage to vacuum aspiration.