Helpline launched to guide unwed mothers

Mumbai: In a bid to spread awareness on abortion laws and dangers of unwanted pregnancy among women and young girls, two NGOs have started a help line ‘Marzi’ to counsel and offer medical and legal support to unwed mothers, rape victims and minors. According to the NGOs, the number of unwed mothers is going up due to the lack of education and social and family reasons.

According to the NGO workers, the circumstances and situation becomes imperative for the girls to opt for an abortion especially when pregnancy is unwanted. Due to the loopholes in the abortion law, the girls at a young age have to shoulder the responsibility of motherhood. The Beed district’s Jagar Pratishthan and Pune’s Samyak NGO have joined hands and started the help line ‘Marzi’ for women.

The help line guides unwed mothers during their pregnancy and if the girl is willing to abort then medial aid is provided following the framework of law. Through this help line, the women will be educated about the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act (PCPNDT) and will be provided with health services. Unwed mothers across Maharashtra can avail this facility. Currently, the help line gets four to five call each day asking for the guidance. The help line number is 9075764763.

 Ashok Tangde, secretary of Jagar Pratishthan said, “Most of the girls are uninformed about the pregnancy due to early marriages and they do not have knowledge regarding the abortion law.”

 He further added “To educate them regarding the pros and cons, we have started this help line. These women are counselled and we help them seek justice. The information of unwed mothers is kept under wraps.”