Building a Safe House for Victims of Gender-Based Violence

There is a lack of safe spaces for women who are escaping abusive homes in Eswatini. Women and children are forced to stay in toxic environments even when it is dangerous for their physical and mental health. The project aims to build a structure at an undisclosed location that women who are experiencing intimate partner violence can come to and stay until they gain skills to sustain themselves. The space that we want to create will offer counselling and accommodation for the women and their underaged children.

There is a lack of resources that can practically assist women to escape unsafe environments. Currently, the police in the country and other NGOs raise awareness about Intimate Partner violence and other forms of gender violence. However the people who come and report these issues are impoverished and dependent on their abusers so they cannot escape the household. The police do not have adequate centers which they can refer a women to who is in danger. They are powerless in stopping them from going back to their abusive breadwinners. In conclusion, there has been widespread awareness and knowledge but inadequate intervention and protection of women.

This project ensures that the victim is quickly whisked from the unpredictable situation before a fatality occurs in the hands of an abuser. It is a practical intervention whereby the victim receives family psycho-social therapeutic sessions that will aid in self empowerment. Additionally, this space will be run by people who have personal connections to skill development organizations thus they can get referrals to gain sustainable skills and skill acquisition. This will enable the victims to start purposeful new lives which are not dependent on their abusers. Examples of NPOs in Eswatini are ‘Women in business” for income-generating skills; Sebenta National Institute for career development and vocational skills training; International Discipleship Movement for character building and mentorship programmes such as the Single Adults Fellowship programme. The safe spaces compound is not only focusing on equipping with money making skills, but also works as a counselling centre that will work with talking through the trauma of abuse and provide healthy coping mechanisms. It is an area where the women can come and recover mentally and physically while they try to piece their life back together. None of the above mentioned NPOs in the country offer accommodation for such vulnerable women even when they give them skills. Thus what will set this program apart is offering a home and a counsellor to help prepare them for a life without an abuser.

The money will be used to equip the current land so that the construction of the rooms is completed effectively. Plumbing costs are R5,900 which will create water pipes and taps for clean water for the residents. Electricity connections from the Eswatini Electricity Company will cost R7,000. Lastly, in order to build ablution facilities for the builders and residents R7 100 is a good initial figure to get that done.