Mina* is one of the many women supported by the Safe House since it opened in May 2022. A victim of rape at age 15, Mina hid the violence and the pregnancy from her family for 6 months. When her belly began to clearly show, she was shamed by family and neighbors to the point that she had to leave her village. She found support and shelter at the Safe House. Mina received counseling, and her baby was born during the year that she lived there. A case was filed against the perpetrator, but he fled to India and escaped.
This year the local government provided four sewing machines and a trainer so that women at the Safe House could develop income generating skills. Both Mina and one other woman learned to sew well enough that the Safe House gave each of them a sewing machine when they left. Mina now earns her income as a seamstress. Her family received counseling from the Safe House also, which led to a repaired family relationship. Her father decided to help her set up her business. She now earns over $100 per month, which is average income for Nepal.
Mina’s story is an example of why the Safe House is so needed in rural Nepal. Women victims of violence are often stigmatized by society and need a safe place to turn to for support. Our aim in 2025 is to fully furnish the building, complete the compound fencing for security, and provide further skills training for the women.
At CLN, we provide financial support for hard-to-fund aspects of projects like local staff and overhead because we see this as essential to developing strong, sustainable programs in Nepal. We have worked closely with the local government, police, and hospital throughout the planning and opening of the Safe House because we want to ensure that the local community has ownership of the project and that they will take fiscal and operational responsibility for it going forward. In 2025, the local government will assume over 80% of the ongoing operational cost and management, and more the following year. This is a big success in terms of local ownership and a huge step forward in institutionalizing women’s services at the local level in rural Nepal!
We will continue to partner with the local government in the coming year for a smooth management transition. We have great faith in the local team, from the Safe House Manager to the District Officials, to take over this project and ensure that it runs for years to come.
