Maru Ghar
Maru Ghar is a women’s short-stay home for victims of domestic violence, and stands as a beacon of hope and refuge for those in dire need. Beyond providing a safe space, it extends a comprehensive range of support services, including family, mental, and legal counseling, aimed at empowering survivors on their journey towards healing and independence.
Recognizing that economic independence is crucial for long-term empowerment, Maru Ghar goes a step further by offering employment opportunities and soft-skill training programs. Through these initiatives, women are equipped with the tools and resources needed to rebuild their lives with dignity and resilience. In this nurturing environment, survivors are not only offered protection and guidance but also the chance to reclaim their autonomy and forge a path towards a brighter future.
Why Maru Ghar?
Maru Ghar stands as a testament to Sejal’s vision and the collaborative efforts of the Vagad community and our dedicated team. It emerged from a profound realization that victims of domestic violence in our region faced a dire lack of refuge, even at their maternal homes, often leading to tragic outcomes such as suicide.
Why do women have nowhere to go?
The roots of this crisis trace back to an age-old marriage custom known as “Saata,” prevalent across various Vagad communities, which entails the exchange of brides and grooms between families. According to this tradition, the sister of the groom is betrothed to the brother of the bride, intertwining familial ties deeply.
Intertwined Lives
Consequently, when marital discord arises, seeking solace at one’s maternal home becomes fraught with complications. Any strife in a marriage not only affects the couple directly involved but also reverberates through interconnected familial bonds. For instance, if a woman returns home due to abuse, her brother’s wife might be sent back in retaliation or might face domestic abuse.
Perpetuating Violence
Domestic violence in one marriage can be used as justification for violence in the other. Parents may pressure sons to retaliate against their daughters in-law, if their daughters are abused. This becomes a very dangerous situation, as now two women face abuse, feel helpless, and have nowhere to go.
Silencing Effect:
This tradition discourages women from speaking out. Fearing their son’s marital disruption, parents may dissuade their daughters from reporting abuse. In a patriarchal society, a son’s well-being can outweigh a daughter’s safety very easily. Moreover, victims of domestic violence, are often blamed for breaking the silence and potentially ruining their brother’s family. This shaming isolates them and fuels a sense of hopelessness.
Tragically, in many instances, victims of domestic violence find themselves trapped in a web of familial and societal expectations, guilt, and societal pressures, with no apparent escape route. The feeling of having nowhere to turn can lead some women to consider suicide as the only escape from their situation.
Maru Ghar’s unwavering commitment is to stand in solidarity with these women, offering holistic support for their mental and physical well-being, alongside crucial family and legal counseling.
Our ethos is rooted in non-violence and the firm belief that through comprehensive counseling and inclusive engagement with both men and women, we can catalyze the transformation of archaic societal norms into more progressive ones.
What happens to the women who come to Maru Ghar?
At Maru Ghar, we uphold the principle of accessibility by not imposing any charges on our services. Upon a woman’s arrival, initially our counselors conduct a brief registration process, delving into the marital challenges she faces. Subsequently, after consulting with Sejal, our team offers her a range of pathways forward. She retains the autonomy to decide her course of action, whether it involves an extended stay at Maru Ghar for tailored mental and legal counseling sessions, pursuing formal legal recourse with our support, engaging in family counseling to address underlying issues, or exploring avenues for independence through employment opportunities.
We firmly believe in preserving familial bonds and recognize that divorce or separation isn’t the sole solution to marital strife. We prioritize empowering women with the complete freedom to make informed decisions about their future. Should a woman express a desire to reconcile with her spouse, we facilitate a series of counseling sessions involving both parties, including the in-laws, fostering open dialogue to understand each perspective and seek common ground for resolution. This collaborative process of reconciliation may span several weeks to months, during which the woman remains under the care and support of Maru Ghar.
Throughout her journey, our lawyers provide support during legal proceedings, while we assist her in securing employment opportunities, fostering her journey towards self-reliance. Upon resolution of her case and attainment of stable employment, we encourage her to consider independent living, with the reassurance that Maru Ghar remains a supportive resource should she encounter any future challenges.
To date, Maru Ghar has welcomed over sixty-five women, all of whom have forged enduring connections with ISAR and Sejal. They have fostered a supportive community amongst themselves, forming an informal network where they candidly discuss not only day-to-day challenges but also broader life issues which are beyond Maru Ghar’s scope. Thus, Maru Ghar serves not just as a refuge but also as a nurturing environment where women find solace in the camaraderie and understanding of their peers, cultivating a sense of belonging and empowerment.
We strongly believe that Maru Ghar is not just a project, or a service we provide, but it is a philosophy with which we work…
Photo Credits from top of page: Meena Kadri and ISAR Team
Important Note: These images do not depict women who are currently staying at or have previously stayed at Maru Ghar. They were sourced from professional photographers, with their permission, and are licensed under CC Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs.