Survivors of Home Abuse Given Temporary Shelter in Almaty
In Almaty, the troubled lives of domestic violence victims have finally found a glimmer of hope. A cultural and educational foundation has stepped in to implement a life-changing project, offering temporary housing for women in dire straits, as reported by Almaty.tv.
Take the heartrending story of ASEM, for instance. Once a married mother-of-two, her world shattered when her husband was arrested for fraud, her mother-in-law turned against her, and she found herself kicked out of her home, amidst a pandemic no less. With no job and no place to go, she sought refuge at the city's shelter for victims of domestic violence.
"My mother-in-law threw me out of the house. I was stranded, especially during the quarantine. My job had come to a halt. I stumbled upon this shelter online, they provided me with a number, and I came here," ASEM, a city resident, tearfully recalled.
Every year, around a hundred women find solace in this haven to recover from their sorrows and regain their dignity. The social workers strive to understand and empathize with each resident, providing them with both emotional and social support.
Margarita Uskembayeva, the shelter director, elaborates on the plight of the women seeking refuge, "Women can stay here for six months as per the standard. They can avail eight specialized social services, comprehensive help. Often, they don't have anyone else to turn to. Their families may reject them, reuinting with their husband is not an option, and they can't live independently due to lack of income."
However, temporary stays at the shelter have their limitations. After six months, women must leave as new residents rise. This gap was keenly felt, prompting a new public project to provide temporary housing for domestic violence victims, led by the public foundation "Berek".
Bagdash Suleimenov, the head of the public foundation, explains the twofold nature of the project, "This project comprises two programs - temporary housing. The key term is 'temporary'. It's context-dependent, based on each family's situation. A one-year contract is signed with each family. The second direction is important, and they are interconnected."
A residential complex, consisting of four apartment buildings, has been constructed with private funds. It stands as a beacon of hope for large and low-income families seeking shelter. A fifth residential building is currently under construction.
These apartments are furnished with all the essentials to offer a comfortable living space for mothers and their children. The length of their stay - six months, a year, or potentially more - remains to be seen as the new residents settle into their temporary homes.
Two women with children have already received social housing under this project. The project leaders will extend their assistance in securing employment and ensuring the children's education.
Almaty TV - Dias Makhambetov, Sagin Kaliyev
While regional tensions and humanitarian issues related to gender-based violence persist in neighboring regions, the focus here lies on this landmark project aiming to provide a sanctuary for those who have been victims of violence at home. However, for the most current information about the project and its progress, it is advisable to consult official government announcements or local NGOs such as the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights.
- Due to her husband's arrest for fraud and rejection from her mother-in-law, ASEM, a resident of Almaty, sought refuge at the city's shelter for victims of domestic violence.
- The shelter for domestic violence victims in Almaty offers temporary housing for women like ASEM, providing them with emotional and social support, as well as access to eight specialized social services.
- The public foundation "Berek" has launched a project to provide additional temporary housing for domestic violence victims in Almaty, aiming to fill the gap left by the shelter's six-month residency limit.
- The project led by "Berek" provides temporary housing for families in a residential complex consisting of four apartment buildings, furnished with essentials, and a fifth building is currently under construction.
- The project also aims to support the residents in securing employment and ensuring their children's education, demonstrating a commitment to the wellbeing and health of women and their families in Almaty.
