India has one of the largest homeless populations in the world. Due to the unavailability of recent census data on the homeless population in India, this study will employ an empirical approach to develop a holistic understanding of the health status of homeless women in NCT of Delhi. The homeless urban women experience homelessness due to poverty and unemployment and are often denied their fundamental constitutional and human rights. The transition to homelessness is often associated with physical and mental abuse, social and personal issues, and failure in the implementation of existing government policies. The ill effect of homelessness is not restricted to the absence of a roof, food, and clean water but also extends to chronic health issues ranging from minor diseases like malnourishment, anaemia, diabetes, and malaria, to life-threatening diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, Sars-CoV2, parasitic infections, and venereal diseases, etc., however, only common diseases were encountered during the survey for the chapter. Exposure to extreme environmental conditions frequently taking place increases the mortality rate of such homeless women adding to their plight. As per the study, an absence of bodily hygiene, food security, maternity benefits, and well-managed habitation increases their physical and psychological vulnerability. This study will thus, end with recommendations to address the issue of degrading health status of urban homeless women and the gap in implementation of the existing legislative policies.

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Surviving in the Margins: Addressing the Health Issues of Homeless Women in NCT Delhi

  • Nirupama Singh,
  • Aradhya Singh,
  • Menka Rai

摘要

India has one of the largest homeless populations in the world. Due to the unavailability of recent census data on the homeless population in India, this study will employ an empirical approach to develop a holistic understanding of the health status of homeless women in NCT of Delhi. The homeless urban women experience homelessness due to poverty and unemployment and are often denied their fundamental constitutional and human rights. The transition to homelessness is often associated with physical and mental abuse, social and personal issues, and failure in the implementation of existing government policies. The ill effect of homelessness is not restricted to the absence of a roof, food, and clean water but also extends to chronic health issues ranging from minor diseases like malnourishment, anaemia, diabetes, and malaria, to life-threatening diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, Sars-CoV2, parasitic infections, and venereal diseases, etc., however, only common diseases were encountered during the survey for the chapter. Exposure to extreme environmental conditions frequently taking place increases the mortality rate of such homeless women adding to their plight. As per the study, an absence of bodily hygiene, food security, maternity benefits, and well-managed habitation increases their physical and psychological vulnerability. This study will thus, end with recommendations to address the issue of degrading health status of urban homeless women and the gap in implementation of the existing legislative policies.