KWIECO Shelter for Women and Girls
A safe place. Support to heal. An opportunity to rebuild.
The KWIECO Shelter provides temporary safe accommodation, protection, counselling, and rehabilitation support for women and girls affected by gender-based violence and other forms of abuse. Through an integrated approach that connects protection, legal assistance, psychosocial care, education, and skills development, the shelter helps survivors work towards safety, dignity, and a more secure future.
About the Shelter
The KWIECO Shelter was established in response to the protection needs of women and girls who could not safely remain in their homes or communities. In 2014, KWIECO began renting a house to provide temporary shelter after initially arranging accommodation through trusted families and organizations. In 2015, with support from the Embassy of Finland, KWIECO constructed a permanent shelter facility. The shelter is part of KWIECO's broader commitment to protecting human rights, promoting gender equality, and improving access to justice for women and children in Tanzania. KWIECO reports that the shelter is officially licensed to provide protection, care, and rehabilitation services for women and girls who survive gender-based violence.
Who we Surpport
The shelter supports women and girls who face violence, exploitation, abuse, or circumstances that place their safety and wellbeing at risk. These include:
The shelter also supports children accompanied by their mothers where protection and safety are needed.
A secure temporary living environment for survivors who need protection from violence, intimidation, exploitation, or further abuse.
Emotional support, counselling, and trauma-informed care to help survivors begin their recovery and strengthen their confidence.
Legal guidance, referrals, and court case follow-up, helping survivors understand their rights and access appropriate legal services.
Assistance in accessing medical services and referrals according to survivors' needs.
Educational assistance and life-skills training, particularly for girls whose schooling and future opportunities have been threatened by violence or abuse.
Practical skills development in tailoring, gardening, food processing, poultry keeping, catering, entrepreneurship, and financial management. These activities aim to strengthen survivors' opportunities for self-reliance.
Many girls staying at the shelter are primary or secondary school students. Violence, abuse, FGM, and early marriage can threaten their education and limit their future choices. The shelter provides protection and educational assistance to help girls continue their studies while receiving the care and support they need. This approach recognises that safety and education are both essential to helping girls pursue their aspirations and build independent futures.
Support with planning for a safer future, including family reunification where appropriate, community reintegration, and links to livelihood opportunities.
Recovery also means having opportunities to rebuild one's life. KWIECO provides practical skills development to help survivors strengthen their confidence and prepare for life beyond the shelter. Training areas include tailoring and fashion design, gardening and food preservation, poultry keeping, catering, small-business management, savings, budgeting, communication, and decision-making. These activities are intended to help survivors develop practical capabilities and explore opportunities for sustainable livelihoods after leaving the shelter.
Our Impact
Since opening its permanent facility in 2015, the KWIECO Shelter has supported women and girls facing serious protection challenges.
The shelter's work demonstrates the importance of combining immediate protection with longer-term support for recovery, education, and self-reliance.
Working Together to Protect Survivors
Providing safe accommodation and comprehensive support requires sustained collaboration. KWIECO works with government institutions, social welfare services, police, education stakeholders, civil society organizations, and development partners to strengthen protection and access to justice. Continued support is needed to sustain essential services, expand access to education and vocational training, improve access to medical care, and strengthen safe reintegration and livelihood opportunities.
You can help strengthen protection and opportunities for women and girls affected by gender-based violence.
Contact KWIECO to explore opportunities for partnership, financial support, technical assistance, or collaboration.