Safe Shelter: Protecting and Empowering Women

Protecting and empowering women through safe shelter initiatives is one of the core activities of NAPO. The organization has been continuously working toward establishing its own safe shelter building while currently operating a rented facility to support women in need. Regular training sessions are conducted at the rented safe shelter.

During the reporting period, seventeen survivors of gender-based violence received essential services, including free food, warm accommodations, menstrual hygiene and sanitary kits, transportation, and legal support. The reported cases included child marriage, polygamy, rape, mental health issues, domestic violence, and physical abuse.

NAPO has raised funds and purchased land for the construction of a dedicated women’s shelter building. Meanwhile, the local government has committed to providing additional financial support to initiate the construction. Construction work has already begun, including the procurement of materials (cement, iron bars, plywood), the collection of local resources (sand, aggregates, wood), and the digging of the foundation.

Looking ahead, the next quarter will focus on:

·       Building the foundation

·       Constructing beams and columns

·       Coordinating with the provincial government for potential support

·       Continuing to support survivors of various forms of gender-based violence

·       Organizing a district-level GBV survivors response and service provider workshop

·       Utilizing the safe shelter for additional training programs to empower and build the capacity of women