Families led by single women are on the rise in India; so are the crimes against the women and members of such families, said Lalitha Kumaramangalam, Chairperson of the National Commission for Women.

The two-day national workshop sponsored by the National Commission for Women, with the focus on issues and difficulties faced by women-headed families, began at the Amrita University today. Academicians, lawyers, and women rights activists participated in the workshop.

The workshop will address issues like economic, social, and psychological consequences of women-headed families in the Indian context, crime and violence against women and children in such families, and the role of the government, NGOs, and corporate world in their empowerment.

The recommendations from the workshop will be submitted to the National Commission for Women to help the Indian Government formulate policies to support families headed by single women.

Delivering the inaugural address at the workshop, Lalitha Kumaramangalam, Chairperson of the National Commission for Women further said, “India is witnessing a rise in the number of families headed by women. These families lack financial resources because of the low earning capacity of single mothers, absence of child support, and meagre public benefits. In Indian society, there is a stigma attached to single women.

Their identity is associated with that of their husband, so they suffer from a feeling of worthlessness and loss of identity after divorce or widowhood. The responsibility to take care of children and elderly members creates stress and health problems for them. Ineffective parenting and limited parental contact, such as father’s absence, is a huge disadvantage for children in single-mother families.”

Striking a strong note for single women to be provided psychological help, Dr. Suja M.K., Chairperson of the Department of Social Work, Amrita University, said, “Social issues faced by single women in our society are manifold. They are often isolated and blamed for their single status. Many are educated, but not empowered. They still submit themselves to domestic violence and other forms of discrimination just because they are women and society expects them to be tolerant towards such misconduct. They are victims of sexual harassment, which often happens within the four walls of their homes. Their voices are seldom heard. The solution is to support such women with counselling and psycho-social care so that they become mentally strong.”