Shelter and Empowerment for Women Exiting Exploitation

Kwenuha Women’s Association is a grassroots organization in Livingstone, Zambia, dedicated to empowering women affected by commercial sex work and human trafficking. For years, the organization has provided essential support, counseling, and opportunities for women seeking a path out of exploitation. In a region marked by 70% unemployment and high HIV rates, their work has been a lifeline for countless women and girls trapped by poverty and lack of opportunity.

This project offers holistic support to women exiting the sex trade by combining safe shelter with farm-based vocational training. It aims to serve 30 women per year, providing not only housing but also skills in agriculture, income generation, and basic life development. The women are trained and supported on Kwenuha’s farm, which also serves as a community hub for empowerment.

The shelter will provide a trauma-informed, stable space for recovery and healing. Additional components—such as securing a reliable water source, purchasing livestock, building housing, and equipping the farm—will enhance self-reliance and long-term success. The initiative also positively impacts the broader community through economic participation and peer mentorship.

Livingstone is a border city and tourism destination with high rates of transactional sex, driven by poverty, limited education, and lack of alternatives. The presence of truck routes and lodges increases exposure to gender-based violence and HIV. Many women in this trade express a desire to leave, but without housing, skills, or income alternatives, there are few options. This shelter will provide a critical stepping stone to a life beyond exploitation.

Support Shelter and Empowerment for Women in Zambia

Your donation will help build a safe shelter and sustainable farm that offers women exiting exploitation a real chance at healing and independence.

Funding Needed: 32,258 USD