'Peaceful' 7 months in hospital—where to go now?

She has no paternal home, nor was she welcomed back into her husband’s house. Shanti Begum was originally admitted to the Barguna Sadar Hospital to give birth to her second child. Since then, she has remained in the hospital with her two children.

A housemaker of Porirkhal area of Barguna Sadar, Shanti has been staying on a bed in the pediatric ward of the government hospital for seven months. While the authorities provided shelter for so long on humanitarian grounds, they are now facing a bed shortage and have asked her to leave. With her two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Aisha, and seven-month-old son, Ayat, Shanti’s only question is: "Where will I go?"

Hospital officials stated they have informed the Department of Social Services about her dire situation.

Upon visiting the pediatric ward, the woman was found sitting quietly on a single bed amidst the crowd of patients and relatives. Little Ayat was in her lap, while Aisha sat close to her mother.

As soon as she learned of the journalist’s identity, Shanti tearfully recounted the story of her struggles. She said her father had died before she was born, and her mother passed away when she was only seven years old. Young Shanti found shelter at her maternal grandfather’s house in the Heuli Bunia vicinity, where she grew up confronting abuses by her step-grandmother and uncles.

"I started working at other people’s houses when I was eight. Later, I went to Dhaka and worked in a garment factory. I was doing well for a while, but then the factory closed during COVID-19, and I had to return to my grandfather's house in the village," she said.

Under family pressure, Shanti was married to one Md. Khalil of Porirkhal area, but that life was also marred by domestic conflict.

When asked why she stayed in the government hospital, Shanti explained, "In the middle of last year, my husband beat me and kicked me out along with my one-and-a-half-year-old daughter. I was six months pregnant at the time. I came to Barguna Sadar Hospital for treatment, and my son was born here."

She continued, "After recovering, I went to my husband’s house with my two children. However, my husband wasn't home, and my brother-in-law and his wife wouldn't let me in. I don't have a paternal home either. I had nowhere else to go, so I was forced to return to the hospital."

"Thanks to the kindness of the nurses, I got a spot in a pediatric bed. The nurses used to buy food for my children, and the hospital provided me with meals. Now, the authorities have asked me to leave. Where will I go? What will I feed these two children? Without food, my children might just die in my arms," she feared.

Sabina Akter, a nurse at the Sadar Hospital, confirmed that Shanti has been living there for seven months.
"That woman is forced to stay in the hospital with two small children. No family members are checking on them, and she has no money. That is why we nurses used to help her by buying milk, food, and clothes for the children," said Sabina Akter.

Dr. Md. Rezwanur Alam, Superintendent of the 250-bed Barguna Hospital, cited "humanitarian grounds" for providing her shelter so far.

"The helpless woman was provided with maximum medical care. We allowed her to stay here with her children for humanitarian reasons. But how much longer can we keep her? We are already struggling to provide beds for regular patients. Therefore, Shanti has been asked to leave. However, I will urge the Department of Social Services to arrange for her rehabilitation," he stated.

When contacted via mobile phone, Shanti’s husband, Khalil, blamed her for the marital discord and stated he would not take her back.

"I separated from my first wife due to family issues, and then I married Shanti. There are constant fights in this household too. I am a sand laborer and spend most of my time on sand dredgers. My wife beats me. For the sake of my own safety, I will not let her back into the house," he said, refusing to discuss the matter further.

Shanti now faces a renewed struggle for survival and an uncertain future for her children. She lacks the financial means to take legal action against her husband.

However, Ronju Ara Shipu, the Public Prosecutor for the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal, offered reassurance after hearing the story. "If the helpless woman submits a written complaint to the Legal Aid Office of the District Judge's Court, she will receive maximum legal assistance through Legal Aid and regain her rightful rights," she said.

Organizations working to improve the lives of women claim that frequent natural disasters in coastal areas are driving people into poverty, which in turn impacts family life.

Hosne Ara Hashi, Chief Executive of the private organization 'Jago Nari', noted, "The Barguna coast repeatedly faces various disasters. As a result, people here are constantly falling below the poverty line, leading to increased domestic conflict and violence. I urge the government to provide this helpless woman with a house under the Ashrayan Project and to take steps to ensure the safety and future of the children."

She assured that her organization would look into Shanti Begum's situation and provide whatever help possible, adding that they would also try to facilitate her return to her husband’s family.

"We will also seek help for her from those who support the helpless. However, I believe the government needs a specific budget for different regions to solve these issues," she added.

Barguna Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Shah Aziz also provided assurance, stating, "If the victim submits a written complaint, the matter will be resolved with the highest priority through the Village Court."

Md. Hemayet Uddin, the Barguna Sadar Upazila Social Services Officer, claimed he was unaware of the woman’s situation. "It would be best if the woman applies to the Deputy Commissioner. Since she has two small children and no place to stay, it is essential to arrange a permanent living situation for her first. After that, we may have the opportunity to provide further assistance from our side," he said.