National Shelter Movement (NSM)

Vision


We are the united voice on sheltering for women and children affected by gender-based violence in South Africa.

Mission


To network, advocate and lobby provincial national and international stakeholders. To be engaged in service provision, legislation and capacity building on gender based violence and sheltering of abused women and their children in South Africa

Background Information

Nisaa Institute for Women’s Development initiated and hosted the first Southern African Conference on Sheltering Abused Women and Their Children in the year 2000. In 2008 Nisaa hosted the second Conference on Sheltering. The NSM-SA was established after all of shelters attending this conference decided that they needed a formalised body to represent shelters across the country. The NSM was thus founded on the 21-22 February 2008 and was launched on the 4 August 2008.

During the conference in February 2008, the following happened:

  • Most provincial representatives were elected,
  • A national mandate for action was given to the NSM-SA,
  • Nisaa was requested to serve as the secretariat.

The first NSM-SA meeting was held in May 2008 where the vision, the mission and the goals of the NSM-SA was developed. The meeting was also used as a planning session for the year. The provincial representatives then elected the executive committee.

The NSM was endorsed by a wide range of stakeholders, including the National Department of Social Development and other relevant organisations.

Achievements
  • Acquired NPO status
  • Developed a national database of shelters in S.A
  • Executives visited shelters in 4 provinces in order to understand the differing needs for women’s shelters across the country
  • Liaise with government and other stakeholders – positive outcomes of which are as follows:
  • Provided input into minimum standards for shelters booklet and National Policy Guidelines for VEP
  • Represent NSM – National Victim Empowerment Management Forum meetings
  • Various presentations – presented at World conference on shelters, DSD summit & others
  • NSM reps have been interviewed on various radio, TV and newspapers across the country
  • Had 7 meetings with provincial reps and 2 w/shops on HIV/AIDS.
  • Shelters no longer working in silos
  • Conducted research into knowledge and understanding of HIV and AIDS across the shelters on the NSM-SA database and Compiled report – national HIV baseline document for shelters
Executive Body and Provincial Representatives
Executive Member Organisation
Dr. Zubeda Dangor Nisaa Institute for Women’s Development
Ms. Linda Fugard Sisters Incorporated
Ms. Lynette Strybis Marli Martin