The Global Network of Women’s Shelters recently released the 2011 Global Shelter Data Count, a snapshot of one day in the lives of women seeking refuge at women’s shelters around the world.  The 2011 Count represents information provided by 2,636 participating shelters (including Nellie’s) and 25 shelter networks from 36 countries.

On one day around the world:

-56,308 women and 39,130 children sought refuge from abuse at a shelter; 520 of these women were pregnant.

On one day in Canada:

-2,975 women and 1,614 children went to a shelter;  146 of these women were pregnant

Today at Nellie’s:

– 26 women and 8 children are at our shelter; 1 of these women is pregnant.

The 2011 Global Shelter Data Count highlights experiences from women all across the world who have experienced violence and are looking for shelter.

Unfortunately, the barriers to service many shelters like Nellie’s face, such as lack of funding, understaffing, and lack of national legislation to protect women from violence are experienced not only in Canada, but around the world.
-In Ireland over 1 million euros have been cut from domestic violence funding since 2008.
-In Italy there is no national funding for shelters.
-In Canada, Bill C-19 abolished the requirement for firearm owners to register their weapons, putting women at risk of violence and death.
-In Pakistan, women are often murdered during their court trials since the government offers no protection to women in their homes.

Similarly, the challenges facing women who are trying to escape violence such as isolation and lack of legal protection, transcend international boundaries.
-In Rwanda, women are abused for trying to assert their reproductive rights and rights to property.
-In Hong Kong, many minority groups cannot access support due to language barriers.
-In Germany, women who are escaping violence from Eastern Europe are not entitled to financial benefits and therefore suffer in poverty.

Fortunately, some countries have been able to take positive steps towards creating a future without violence against women.
-In Mexico, $10 million has been allocated to fund women’s shelters.
-In Georgia, state funding has gone to a 24 hour survivors hotline.
-In Sweden, the government published a document outlining how different levels of social services are to support women who have been victims of violence.

The Global Shelter Data Count vividly portrays that violence against women is a global concern, knowing no boundaries. The work we do at Nellie’s to support women and children who have been abused is intimately connected to the work of other shelters around the world.  We stand in solidarity with them and with all survivors, to create a world without violence.  The stories and statistics in the 2011 Global Shelter Data Count are powerful and important and we encourage you to read the report here.