In Nepal, levels of violence against women and girls are extremely high. One-in-five women in Nepal have experienced physical violence, with 80% of these instances involving husbands. 66% of women who experience violence do not seek assistance.

"I faced violence daily," says one young woman. "I felt unable to speak out against it. I felt alone and had no support."

This response from women and girls who experience violence is common and women across Nepal suffer from isolation and the threat of being ostracized from communities if they talk about the violence they suffer. On top of that, many survivors cannot leave the perpetrators’ extended family homes, which leaves them feeling trapped, with no income or economic opportunities to live independent lives.

That’s why UNFPA is supporting long term workplace opportunities for survivors that empower them to live independently without relying on abusive partners.

All the women in one UNFPA-supported factory in Kathmandu were exposed to serious forms of violence and accepted for residential stays in shelter homes a year ago to ensure a safe space for them to receive support from trained staff. During these stays, they received basic vocational training to assist them to become more independent that can often include beauty therapy and sewing skills.

Your gifts power this lifesaving work. Your gifts empower women in Nepal to leave dangerous situations and recover from domestic violence.

Please, make a gift to help provide lifesaving care, services, and opportunities to survivors of violence in Nepal and around the world. Women and girls suffering in silence are counting on you today.

This experience hasn’t just given these survivors a route out of the cycles of violence experienced — it’s also changing their lives. Having an independent income allows women to move on from their previous lives.

"After coming to the factory, we learnt new skills and gained independence, which has given us hope and a positive outlook on life," says one of the group’s members. Another adds: "I now have a more positive place to think about the future."

A stable workplace has given these women more than just an income but a way out. One survivor explains, "These skills help us think there is hopefully a brighter future."

All of these women highlight the desire to create a brighter future for their children, and many stress the importance of education and investing in their children so they can grow into independent adults that can stand on their own two feet, especially those with daughters.

But in order to reach more women with income and a way out of dangerous situations, more gifts are urgently needed to support these life-altering services.

Will you make a gift to empower survivors of violence? Deliver the gift of a brighter future by clicking below:

These women share a common story of hardship but also hope and resilience in the face of violence. And as they sit together sharing their experiences, there is a strong sense of solidarity. They are aware that there are challenges ahead, but thanks to these life changing services, they feel much more in control of their lives and face the future with a brighter outlook.

— USA for UNFPA