The National Shelters Network was conceptualized in 2019 and began in February 2020. It is led by the Centre for Domestic Training and Development (CDTD), a women rights NGO that works to promote the rights of girls and women in domestic labor in Kenya through advocacy, skills development, employment, education and protection since 2001. From inception, CDTD has continued to provide assistive services and a safe haven to domestic workers, refugees and victims of human trafficking. As a result, CDTD has had to open its doors to cases of GBV and VAWG and extend rescue and protective services to young women and girls all over Kenya due to the number of cases reported to them.
The establishment of TAGS opened many doors, one of which saw CDTD attend three World Conferences of Women’s Shelters (WCWS) as participants and presenters respectively. From such experiences, CDTD garnered learnings that enabled it to spearhead a network initiative set to address emerging issues and challenges related to the provision of shelter and other rescue services as well as the prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) as a collective. Therefore, to facilitate capacity building for shelters and the formation of a shelters network, CDTD embarked on finding existing and functional shelters throughout the country. A baseline survey conducted between October 2019 and March 2020 to establish the number of existing shelters and their distribution across the country. A total of 27 shelters were initially mapped. Between March and June 2020, the network has further mapped 24 new shelters bringing the new total to 51 shelters. Through this alliance of 51 shelters and shelter operators across Kenya, the National Shelters Network was born.
The National Shelters Network (NSN) is a network of organizations dedicated to providing safe shelters and support services for survivors of violence and exploitation across Kenya. NSN champions the right to safety, dignity, and reintegration for all survivors. The NSN currently has 90+ member spread across 18 Counties in Kenya.
Core Functions
- Shelter Provision and Coordination: Connecting and strengthening shelters across the country to offer comprehensive support and share best practices.
- Advocacy and Policy Development: Working with government agencies to develop shelter policies and ensure sustainable funding and support structures.
- Capacity Building and Training: Offering training to shelter staff and stakeholders, enhancing service quality, trauma care, and survivor-centered practices.
