"Women in India have several socio-economic disabilities that make them vulnerable. The severity and complexity of their problems leads to the physical and psychological harassment and trauma. In most of these cases, they are thrown out of their parental or matrimonial homes. The state of Maharashtra has a long tradition of NGOs' running shelter homes for women in distress. However, in India, very little research has been done in this area. The book provides an overview of the services available for the women in distress in Mumbai. In this lively and unique study of Shraddhanand Mahilashram, which is one of the oldest and well-established shelter homes in Mumbai, a novel perspective on women's lives in the shelter homes has been presented. Besides, how these institutions respond to societal situations and needs, is a matter of discussion. It also provides an insight into understanding the changes in the profile of institutionalised women as well as the nature of their distress over a period of last seventy years"