For girls who underwent major trauma, domestic abuse, human trafficking, and other forms of violence—a safe haven is just what they need to heal. Women’s Safe Haven and Vocational Center (WSH) provides a peaceful and safe environment for women and girls. She undergoes psychological counseling from trained professionals, and a skills training program to help her get back on her feet. We want her to cultivate a safe space within herself as she comes out of the haven stronger.

One of our beneficiaries is Sapana (19). One would know that gender discrimination in Nepal is a serious cultural problem, and Sapana does not need to go far to experience it—she already experiences it in her own home every day. She never had male siblings, and somehow, this triggered her father’s misogyny.

Every day, he would be cruel towards her and her sisters, causing their mother immense stress. He is not a competent father either. He neglects his responsibilities and would frequently get drunk until he becomes violent. It is all the same every time. Instead of examining his own shortcomings and the things he could not control, he will keep blaming all his misfortunes on his daughters. No amount of good deeds from his daughters will make him accept that they were not born males.

Sapana only finished elementary school because her father believed that girls like her should not even study—making it hard for her to land a fairly paying job. Instead, she helped her family through goat-raising and doing labor work in other people’s fields. When her father discouraged her again, she planned to go to India to find better jobs. Again, out of prejudice, her father feared that she might get involved with Indian men so he pressured her to marry within their community. Sapana protested against it and considered it her last straw, the best decision at that moment was to leave for India.

She was intercepted at the border, which halted her travel. She lacked proper documentation which signals to our team that she is likely to be a victim of human trafficking. Sapana understood this but felt more stuck. She went back home and everything worsened. Her father constantly mocked and insulted her, making her feel a lot more hopeless about her life.

Sapana reached out to our haven for help, and we immediately took her in. Many girls like her suffer from domestic abuse from the mere reason that they were born female. We made sure she would not feel alone in this and find a small community that understands her struggles there.

When she started feeling better, she enrolled in the haven’s beauty parlor training program to learn new skills and maximize her employability in the future. It turns out that beauty parlor training is something that she truly enjoys! Sapana is learning and growing every day. Hopefully, this takes her one step closer to her independence from her abuser.

We are proud of her for knowing what she deserves and making active steps to protect herself. We are keeping a close eye on her and wishing her the best in whichever endeavor she chooses.

 

Nepali woman with face blurred for privacy
Sapana

 

 


 

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