Government orders gender-wise segregation of temporary shelters

The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) has directed all Shelter Management Agencies (SMAs) to immediately segregate temporary ‘pagoda shelters’ on the basis of gender, following concerns flagged by the Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood during a late night inspection.

In an official order, issued on December 10, the chief engineer (night shelter) noted that during inspections of the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board shelters, particularly those near the All India Institute Of Medical Sciences, Delhi, it was found that “male and female occupants were being accommodated together” in some temporary structures. The order states that such an arrangement “poses significant concerns regarding the safety, dignity, and privacy of female residents, and is not in alignment with the standards expected for gender sensitive shelter management.”

The government has taken the issue seriously amid increasing shelter usage during the winter season. SMAs have now been instructed to “immediately review the existing arrangements and ensure that all pagoda (temporary) shelters are clearly segregated and categorised on a gender basis and field requirement.”

The order further stresses that “necessary measures must be taken without delay to safeguard the rights, dignity, and personal security of female occupants.” Compliance reports have been sought at the earliest.