Sexual and Gender-based violence (SGBV) is a life-threatening, global health and human rights issue that violates international human rights law and principles of gender equality. As evidence highlights the needs of women and girls who have experienced violence are complex and to address these needs a multi sectoral response is essential. Shelters play a key role in the recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration of victims and survivors of SGBV. They address the health needs, provide psychosocial support, and restore the dignity of the survivors. To ensure the wellbeing and recovery of the women and girls, availability and accessibility of quality care within these shelters are critical.

In this regard, a comprehensive national shelter assessment is needed to identify the needs, structural challenges and capacity gaps among the existing shelters which provide services for the SGBV victims. The assessment is needed to further develop and ensure the protocols/guidelines/standard operating procedure, especially during the pandemic and in response to other emerging needs.