The Global Network of Women's Shelters (GNWS) aims to (1) be a global voice for survivors of violence and the shelters that serve them, (2) strengthen and unite the global women's shelter movement, and (3) end violence against women and children. Formed in 2009, GNWS brings together shelter organizations and networks to advocate, share challenges and best practices, and promote policies to prevent violence and protect women's rights through activities like its annual World Conference of Women's Shelters and Global Shelter Data Count.

1. Introduction to GNWS
Global Network of Women Shelters
2012 Asian Conference of Women Shelters
September 3 , Taipei
Bandana Rana
Chair, GNWS
(Executive Chair of Saathi, Kathmandu, Nepal

2. What is the Global Network of Women's Shelters?
- A global voice for survivors and the shelters that serve
them.
- A Global Network to strengthen and unite the women‘
shelter movement
- Aims to end violence against women and their children.

3. Need for a Global Network
• First women's refuges, shelters and crisis services established in the
early 1970s,
• Existence of local and national services as well as national
coordinating networks in different countries.
• However continuing challenges to open and sustain shelters in
several countries including many countries in Asia
• Lack of Government and Donor support in operating shelters
• Weak Advocacy and very less focus on shelter support
nationally, regionally and globally
• Need to support and encourage national shelters and networks
• Need for collective global voice to support shared goals of ending
violence against women, promoting human rights and achieving
equality.

4. History of GNWS
• 1st World Conference of Women's Shelters in
September 2008, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
• Attended by 800 representatives from shelter
organizations and national networks from
countries around the world
• Challenges & Experiences from across the Globe
shared
• Conference identified the clear need to form a
global organization.

5. 2009 – Formation of GNWS
In April 2009, representatives from various shelter networks
and global regions, most of whom had attended the first
world conference met in Ottawa, Canada for two days
• After intensive discussion an adhoc committee
(represented by 20 shelter organisations from 17 countries)
was formed and aim, vision, objectives and modalities
identified.
• Two members from Asia attended this meeting and
became members of the committee(Vietnam and Nepal)
• GNWS held its first annual one day Global Shelter Data
Count, a glimpse of services some shelters provide.

6. 2010:
• February 2010, GNWS met in New York and adopted its Vision
and Purpose, Guiding Principles and Core Values, Goals and
formed an Interim Board with committees.
• In March 2010, at the 54th session of the United Nations
Commission on the Status of Women in New York , GNWS
presented on the important work of women's shelters around
the world.
• In Fall 2010, GNWS held its 2nd annual one day Global Shelter
Data Count, a glimpse of shelter services.
• GNWS selected the U.S. National Network to End Domestic
Violence to host the 2nd World Conference of Women's
Shelters in 2012 in Washington DC

7. 2011:
• In March 2011, the GNWS Board met in
Amsterdam to identify resources and
issues affecting shelters around the
globe, and to discuss outreach to each
global region.
• In April 2011, GNWS released the 2nd
annual Global Shelter Data Count report.
• In Fall 2011, GNWS held its 3rd annual
one day Global Shelter Data Count.

8. 2012
• In February 2012, GNWS Board met in Washington DC prior to
the 2nd World Conference of Women's Shelters to identify
new issues facing shelters, work on the Global Call to
Action, Membership, and many other activities to engage and
seek input from delegates during the conference.
• GNWS and the U.S. National Network to End Domestic
Violence hosted the 2nd World Conference of Women's
Shelters bringing around 1500 delegates from 96 countries
who work in women's shelters and crisis
centres, refuges, transitional houses and more!
• In March 2012, GNWS released the 3rd annual Global Shelter
Data Count report.

9. Our Vision:
An equal world where women and their children live free
from violence.
Our Purpose:
To unite the women's shelter movement globally to end
violence against women and their children.
Our Work:
Networking
World Conference of Women SHELTERS
Global Shelter Data Count

10. Goals
- To be a strong and active global network with a
recognized international voice.
- To ensure global awareness of violence against
women and their children.
- To support and strengthen the women’s shelter
movement.
- To promote effective policies and their
implementation in order to prevent violence and
protect and empower women and their children.
- To promote social change that ends violence and
oppression against women and their
children.

11. Goals
- To be a strong and active global network with a
recognized international voice.
- To ensure global awareness of violence against
women and their children.
- To support and strengthen the women’s shelter
movement.
- To promote effective policies and their
implementation in order to prevent violence and
protect and empower women and their children.
- To promote social change that ends violence and
oppression against women and their
children.