NRI cell flooded with complaints of domestic violence and matrimonial disputes

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A latest report from the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) reveals that the government’s NRI cell received 481 complaints from women in 2022. The annual report notes that the key issues plaguing women included domestic violence, confiscation of passport, dowry demands, desertion, and child custody disputes.

In just three months, from January 2022, 109 complaints were registered. From April to December the same year, 372 women had reached out to the cell for help.

The report confirmed that women could not unite with their husbands abroad due to the latter’s whereabouts being unknown, or husbands disappearing from the scene altogether.

“The complexity of NRI marriages often involves significant challenges, including legal and financial aid, child custody issues, and the location of missing spouses,” said the report, urging the involvement of government departments to resolve such cases.

To further support women who are being subject to violence and disputes in NRI marriages, the WCD report sketched out plans to establish One Stop Centres and dedicated helplines in Indian Diplomatic Missions (IDMs) abroad.

The Ministry of External Affairs has identified 10 IDMs in nine countries – the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Canada – where Indian women largely reside. The proposal to go ahead with the initiative in Australia was dropped.

In 2022, the National Commission for Women (NCW) joined hands with the Ministries of WCD, External Affairs, and Home Affairs, to issue nearly 3,500 letters to authorities concerned to resolve matrimonial disputes involving NRIs. Cross-border regulations need to be considered while handling NRI matrimonial disputes, which range from violence to total desertion.

The NCW provided psycho-social and legal counselling to complainants. The report revealed that around 45 walk-in complaints were handled during the year, in addition to regular telephonic counselling sessions. The government has formed an expert committee led by Justice Arvind Kumar Goel, former Chairperson of the NRI Commission of Punjab. – editor@nrifocus.com  Illustration by freepik

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