Rehabilitation Centers for Victims of Gender Based Violence

Brief Description

The non-governmental organization Respect Educate Nurture Empower Women (RENEW) was established in 2004 by Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck, and it is the pioneer organization in Bhutan dedicated primarily to the relief and empowerment of disadvantaged women and girls. 

RENEW currently operates a crisis center in Thimphu City that can accommodate 12 women. A permanent crisis center that can accommodate as many as 100 victims is being constructed at Selekha, Sisina, about 20 km from the capital city. The center was expected to be completed in October 2009.

RENEW will construct a similar safe house in Trashigang District to cover the eastern districts.

These temporary shelter homes will operate 24 hours and provide victims of domestic violence and their children refuge from their abusers. The centers will also provide counseling services and support to help heal their emotional and physical wounds and to help them start lives free of abuse and violence.

Specifically, these shelters will provide: a) crisis intervention; b) shelter services for abused victims; c) counseling; d) advocacy; and e) education.