Women’s Shelter

In 1995, WF established a shelter in Boudha, Kathmandu for women and children who are survivors of various kinds of violence. We do not discriminate on the basis of ethnic group, caste, or any other potential category, but decide which women and children need immediate attention on a case-by-case basis. Most women who come to the shelter for help are in physical danger, and are often in situations where they may die. Having helped over 650  women since it's establishment, the shelter is currently providing for 27 women and 49 children (Dec. 2004). 

The women and children come from a variety of backgrounds. Some have been abused by their husbands and in-laws, while others have been forced into prostitution in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. The children have either been orphaned, exploited as child labourers, suffered abuse or have been living in the streets due to acute poverty in the family.

The shelter removes these women and children from these circumstances and offers them safety. Once out of the potentially dangerous environment, the women can turn to other WF programs to get medical attention, counselling, and extensive legal aid to practically improve their situation. They have the opportunity to learn important skills, including reading, writing and handicraft skills when they are more mentally and physically stable. The shelter itself, as an independent project, is a place where women in extreme situations can stay, but its connection to all the other WF programs makes it an opportunity. Women are directly linked to WF network, which can help them heal and become independent. 

The ultimate goal of the shelter is not to provide women with a permanent residence, but to give them encouragement, support, and a temporary home while they find their own place in society. In many cases, it also establishes life-long friendships.

Recent News

Following security concerns towards the end of 2002, a new home was found which is a lot more suitable for the women and children.  The new home is more spacious and is situated on a property that is surrounded by a wall and gate to provide a greater feeling of security for the women and children.  One of the major drawbacks of the old home was that the children had no outdoor area to play.  The large garden and paved area within the walls of the new home allows the children the opportunity to play games without worrying about cars.  Everyone is very comfortable in their new surrounds and it is clear that it has been a very positive move for all. 

The provision of emergency accommodation to women and children is one of WF’s most important projects.  One of the keys to the sustainability of the shelter lay in the alleviation of the ongoing burden of rent through the acquisition of land.  In 2003 WF developed a very fruitful partnership with the Manfred and Brigitta Wardenbach Foundation in Germany , who funded the purchase of land where a WF-owned and operated shelter will be built.  The land is in an area called Thali (15 minutes east of the existing home) and is large enough to accommodate the construction of a good sized home and a vegetable plot.  It is an ideal location for the women and children in that it is large enough for a large play area for the children and, being located a little further out of Kathmandu , it is quieter.  Being able to purchase this land is very exciting for WF and represents the achievement of a long-standing goal and is an important step towards sustainability.  WF is currently in negotiations to acquire funding for the construction of the shelter on the land, and are very confident that they will secure sufficient funding to construct a shelter that will adequately serve their needs.  

In 2004 three students (two girls and a boy) passed their School Leaving Certificate (equivalent to Year 10) exams.  These exams are important as they determine whether a student can continue to Year 11 and Year 12 and subsequently University. Samjhana Srijhana and Suman are now studying Year 11 at College and have ambitions to qualify for University.  They are fantastic role models for the younger students and their achievements are made even greater by the fact that all three of them had missed between 1 and 2 years of schooling in their early teens due to difficult living conditions. 

Traditional Nepali dancing is by far the most popular pastime of the girls at the shelter.  As such, a group of them entered a dancing competition in Kathmandu in 2004 and performed outstandingly well.  Rama, aged 12, won her individual age category and a group of girls, aged between 8-14 years, achieved third place in the group category.  The shelter residents were out in full force to support to them and the competition provided the girls with a tremendous boost to their self-esteem.   

At the beginning of 2004 a computer company in Australia donated two computers to WF.  One of these computers was installed at the shelter, the other at the office.  WF hired a computer tutor to provide training to two of the older girls at the shelter.  After having completed their training, the girls have started a structured computer training program with the younger children at the shelter.  The aim of the program is to work with children in small groups teaching them basic computer skills in order to contribute to their school education and give them the best possible chance of employment following school.    The girls are proud to be able to pass on their knowledge to the other children. 

Related Programs

It became evident to the Women's Foundation that providing accommodation and support was not enough to empower these women. If the women are to rebuild their lives and gain financial independence, it was necessary for WF to develop a skill training program. The shelter has thus acted as the starting point for a number of programs. These programs are outlined below:

1. Handicraft Training 

During their time at the shelter, women are given the opportunity to undertake skill training which will assist them in gaining financial and social independence. WF currently provides training programs in traditional Dhaka weaving, dry food production and tailoring. To find out more about these programs, click on each area.   

2. Organic Farm

The organic farm was established for 2 reasons; in the first instance the organic farm is a cost-saver for the shelter, growing vegetables which are used to feed the shelter. In the second instance the organic farm is used as an education and awareness program, which is especially important given the extensive use of chemicals in Nepali farming practices. Click here to find out more about the organic farm.