Programme for the Protection and Support of Girls at Risk   

In partnership with Shakti Samuha

The Shelter

The base for this project is an emergency shelter, providing a safe haven for ex-trafficked, sexually abused or ‘at risk' girls.  Girls are often referred here by the other Consortium for Street Children partners.  The shelter offers basic, but clean and welcoming accommodation to them, for as long as they need it.  The girls are also supported with counselling and informal education from the resident staff members, as well as being able to access external support including legal advice, healthcare and mainstream school.

This is the only shelter of its kind in Pokhara, and is unique because it offers:

• Short term emergency support as well as longer term support if needed
• A place for all girls regardless of background, behavioural or social difficulties
• Direct help for ex-trafficked, sexually abused or ‘at risk' girls as well as advocacy in the area of trafficking

Outreach

The outreach work done by the staff is just as important as the shelter itself.  This involves making contact with new girls who may need support, and also checking on girls who have left the centre to give them support and encouragement where needed.  The ultimate aim is to reintegrate girls back with their families, and this is achieved through supporting families to help the girls, and offering them counselling.

Advocacy and networking

Shakti Samuha is different from other groups that help trafficking survivors, and aims to give a stronger voice to women who have been violently exploited and are now in danger of being rejected by their own communities.  A high value is placed on self-empowerment.  In conjunction with the other Consortium for Working Children partners, Shakti Samuha is involved in advocacy and networking on trafficking and violence against women.

Laxmi and Kumari's story

Laxmi and Kumari are sisters, 10 and 13 years old.  From a poor family, they were neglected by their parents who left them alone at home while working.  A family friend in his late 20's started to sexually abuse the older sister.  This continued for a long time, but when he started to abuse the younger sister, the two girls shared what happened and told their parents and other community members.

A local community group referred the case to Shakti Samuha, as the only place that could provide immediate shelter and protection for the girls, and an organisation that could support a legal case.  The community group had already been threatened by some community members for taking on the case.

Together, Shakti Samuha and a legal support organisation put together a case against the abuser.  The location of the girls is a secret, and they are being supported through the process with counselling and a caring environment. 

Unfortunately local newspapers have now brought the case into the open, alerted by some community members, which may make it difficult for the girls to return to the community, given the stigma attached even to victims of abuse.  The girls are now studying non-formal education in one of the consortium partners' projects, and once the legal process is complete, Shakti Samuha will support the girls and their parents to make plans for their future.

Consortium for working children

This project provides services in partnership with a local consortium of four organisations working for street and working children.  This enables us to provide choices to suit each individual child, from counselling to family reintegration, from non-formal education to vocational training, from medical treatment to a business loan.  Please see our Protection and Empowerment page for more details about the consortium's work.