Ethiopia: Safe House for Women who escape Harem Confinement

Location - Kolla, Ethiopia

Project

The traditional harem culture in certain regions of Ethiopia remains a pressing human rights issue. Despite growing awareness, many women continue to endure oppressive conditions under this patriarchal system. Women trapped in these harems face forced marriages, lack of autonomy, and psychological as well as physical abuse.

This grant proposal seeks to address the immediate need for safe housing for women who have courageously escaped from such environments, empowering them to reclaim their lives and live with dignity. The proposed project involves the establishment of a three-bedroom ensuite safe house in a secure location in Kolla, Ethiopia, specifically designed to accommodate 20 humanist women who have escaped the harem culture and their abusive husbands.

The safe house provides not only a secure refuge but also a nurturing environment where these women can heal from their traumatic experiences, regain their sense of self-worth, and work toward becoming self-sufficient members of society.

Objectives:

1. Provide Immediate Shelter: The primary objective is to provide immediate, safe, and secure housing for up to six women at a time. The three-bedroom ensuite setup will allow for a shared living environment while ensuring each woman has private space for reflection and rest.

2. Facilitate Emotional and Psychological Healing: The safe house will be more than just a shelter; it will be a place of healing. Through partnerships with local counselors and social workers, the women will receive the support they need to address the emotional and psychological scars left by their past experiences.

3. Empowerment through Education and Skill Development: The project will also focus on empowering the women by providing access to basic education, vocational training, and resources to help them gain financial independence. This will be accomplished through collaboration with local NGOs and educational institutions.

4. Community Integration: A key long-term goal is to help the women reintegrate into society as confident, self-sufficient individuals. This will include assistance with legal processes, securing employment, and finding long-term housing once they are ready to move on from the safe house.

Explain the Benefits to your Community

●  Immediate Safety for Women in Crisis: The safe house will provide immediate protection for women who have fled dangerous situations, reducing the risk of violence, re-trafficking, or coercion.

● Improved Psychological Well-being: Through access to counseling and a supportive community, the women will experience significant improvements in their mental and emotional health.

● Increased Self-sufficiency: By the end of the project period, the women will have developed the skills and confidence necessary to live independently, reducing their dependence on external support and increasing their long-term prospects.

● Long-term Community Impact: The project serves as a model for similar initiatives, demonstrating the effectiveness of providing holistic support to women escaping oppressive cultural practices. The success of this project will encourage further investment in similar efforts across Ethiopia and beyond.

Budget Needs

Rent, Furniture, Bedding, Food, Tools for sustainable gardening, Transportation to help survivors locate to a safe place, Vocational training

—————————————-

DONATIONS can be made via THIS LINK - to an organization 100% support. Donors receive a receipt that’s tax deductible to US citizens. Donors also receive a personal thank you note from the program director, and a THANK YOU photo from the women at the Safe House.