Neftaly: Addressing the Safety Needs of Women and Children in Informal Settlements
Introduction
Women and children in informal settlements face some of the most severe safety challenges in urban environments. From exposure to gender-based violence and unsafe infrastructure to limited access to health services and protection systems, their daily lives are marked by constant risk. At Neftaly, we believe that safety for all begins with safeguarding the most vulnerable—especially women and children.
The Safety Challenges They Face
???????? Women and Girls
- High risk of gender-based violence, particularly in poorly lit or isolated areas.
- Lack of private, secure sanitation facilities, increasing vulnerability to harassment.
- Limited participation in community safety planning and decision-making.
- Economic insecurity leading to unsafe work environments or exploitation.
???? Children and Youth
- Exposure to unsafe play areas, traffic hazards, and environmental dangers (like open drains or exposed wires).
- Vulnerability to abuse, neglect, and exploitation, especially when left unsupervised.
- Lack of access to protective services, including healthcare, education, and psychosocial support.
- Risks associated with domestic violence and overcrowded housing.
Neftaly’s Approach to Safety for Women and Children
???? Community-Led Safety Audits
We work with women and youth to identify safety risks in their neighborhoods and develop local solutions.
???? Safe Sanitation and Public Spaces
Neftaly advocates for and helps build gender-sensitive toilets, bathing facilities, and well-lit communal spaces to reduce risk and restore dignity.
????️ Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevention
We support local awareness campaigns, crisis response systems, and partnerships with organizations that offer legal aid, counseling, and shelter services.
???? Child-Centered Safety Programs
Including safe zones, after-school programs, and parental education initiatives that promote child protection and development.
???? Empowerment and Participation
We train women and youth leaders in advocacy, safety planning, and community organizing to ensure their voices shape local safety policies.
Impact and Benefits
- Safer daily routines for women and children (e.g., walking to school, using toilets, working or playing outdoors)
- Reduced violence and exploitation through prevention, awareness, and response mechanisms
- Improved health outcomes, especially for girls and young children
- Empowered community leaders and stronger social networks advocating for long-term change
Success Story
In one informal settlement, Neftaly partnered with local women’s groups to install solar-powered street lights and organize night patrols. Within months, incidents of harassment dropped significantly, and women reported feeling safer accessing toilets and walking at night.
Conclusion
Women and children deserve to live with dignity, safety, and opportunity—regardless of where they live. By prioritizing their unique needs and empowering them to lead safety efforts, Neftaly is helping create informal settlements that are not just places of survival, but of security and hope.
Join Neftaly in making informal settlements safer for women and children—because safe communities start with protecting their most vulnerable.